Monday 29th.

I spent this day at home also and repeated my Medicine. The Morning was employed in
my usual studies and the Afternoon in the parlour talking politics with Johnson. I
also took a short walk with him. A person cannot help having his attention drawn to
politics if he comes here, there is so much conversation and rumour of intrigue
afloat. Now one man gains the ascendancy now another and some men are glad that Mr.
Crawford is sick.1 This is not generally the case
however. My father appears to bear all this with a good deal of equanimity although
ambition will sometimes have it’s way.

John after dinner, became as usual very dull and petitioned for tea and to go to
bed. Which was granted to him, and he retired very much as usual. Johnson and myself
sat up somewhat later talking and then departed also.

1. William Harris Crawford (1772–1834), of Georgia, Secretary of
the Treasury in President Monroe’s cabinet, was a leading candidate for the
Presidency. He had suffered a paralytic stroke in September 1823 which reduced his
chances but did not cut off his hopes for the office (DAB).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0002-0002-0014

Author: CFA

Date: 1823-12-30

30th.

After studying my Geography and reading my number of essays, I went in the carriage
to Georgetown with Madame and Aunt Frye whom I saw to day for the first time. We
first went to Mrs. Peter’s where they paid a visit but I did not get out. On
returning they observed that America looked exceedingly well this Winter.1 After traversing the most crooked streets that were ever
formed and the most narrow excepting only those in Boston, we got home. Uncle and
Aunt Frye dined and spent the evening here. She looks surprizingly well.

In the evening Madame continued her “bouquets” and Judge Cranch came in with Mr.
James Greenleaf whereupon I retreated till late in the evening. The Judge is a good
sort of man but there is something associated with the name of the other which
disgusts me with him.2 They went away at half past
ten when we separated.

2. The visitors were William Cranch (1769–1855), Chief Judge of
the Circuit Court of the United States in the District of Columbia and son of AA’s
sister, Mary (Smith) Cranch (DAB; see also Adams Genealogy), and
James Greenleaf, the Judge’s brother-in-law, who, a generation before, had served
a short term in a debtors’ prison in consequence of his overspeculation in
District of Columbia real estate (Greenleaf, Greenleaf Family, p. 101, 217; Allen C. Clark, Greenleaf and Law in the Federal City, Washington, 1901, passim).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0002-0002-0015

Author: CFA

Date: 1823-12-31

Wednesday. 31st.

Performed my usual duties this morning, after which I took a walk with Johnson and
John to Mr. Force’s in order to subscribe to a paper for George. It has been set up
here for political purposes and as he is pleased to come out strongly in favour of
Monsieur, it is as well as not that the family should patronize him. He has
accordingly obtained at least two dozen subscribers from persons who are connected
with us alone, and he says that he has no reason to complain of want of
encouragement. It appears to have had considerable effect on the popular feeling and
has taken a pretty high rank as a paper already. It is said that some of Congress
have it’s direction.1

After dinner, Mr. Petry came in and played Boston2
with my father. John ran away and I took his place, although it is some years since
I practised the game. Consequently I lost.

1. Peter Force (1790–1868), best remembered as editor of the American Archives, in 1823 established the National Journal as a semi-weekly to support JQA’s candidacy. In 1824 he
bought the Washington Republican and turned his paper into
a daily in order to compete with the National
Intelligencer. See DAB
and entry for 17 July 1824, below.

2. A card game for four players, requiring two decks of cards, in which the terms
used refer to the siege of Boston, 1775–1776.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0001

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-01

Journal. January. 1824. Thursday. 1st.

It was a very rainy day and very discouraging to the good people of Washington and
vicinity in their usual visit to the President. We went, however and found the rooms
crowded to overflowing. And I had the pleasure of seeing almost all my old
acquaintance at present in town. The change in society however is so great here that
one will hardly find any number of persons in one winter whom he saw in the
preceding. Attached as I became to the society last year the revulsion was not the
most pleasant to my feelings. The young men were different and what is of more
importance the young ladies were different—some great clumsy ugly looking girls had
succeeded the charmers of the former winter. These thoughts made me melancholy in
the midst of gaiety and to keep myself from the appearance of moping kept near the
family.

The house was full and the crowd much enlivened by the music of the band. All the
great characters were present except Mr. Crawford who is very ill. General Jackson
was bowing away very low and appeared to excite admiration and attention. He is a
very mild man in his manners, possessed of none of that ferocity which his enemies
{ 26 } have been so eager to ascribe to him. Our good eastern people,
some of them have a notion that he is a perfect tiger but good souls, in this as
well as in many other things they are mistaken. Mr. Calhoun was evidently exerting
himself to the utmost to be agreable and pleasant. His purposes appeared to me
however to shine through too clearly to be mistaken by any one. Mr. Clay I did not
see although I understood that he was there. Mrs. Monroe did not appear. He, good
old gentleman, looked very much as usual, though to tell my humble opinion I do not
think him a very dignified man. Mrs. Hay presided over the
ladies, and looked very much as usual.1 Senators,
Members and Gentry made up the rest of the company. Of these I shall not speak
except to notice a very few of my acquaintance. Mrs. Peter was there with America
and Sons. The first does not look so well, and is evidently going. America is
prettier than she was but I got no opportunity to speak to her. Or at least I sought
none. This was the case also as to Miss Selden, for after a very little conversation
we separated and I only said a few words en passant afterwards. The Cottringers were
none of them there owing to the weather, I presume, and to Harriet’s about to be
marriage, a circumstance for which I was sorry.

After waiting sometime for the carriage and then witnessing an almost [word omitted] scene in which I was tempted to do what I should
afterwards have repented, we returned home, having been there two hours and a half,
and seen “all the world.” After a little conversation customary upon such a meeting,
and all the little talk about this person and that and the
other, we were reminded that it was time to dress for dinner, as Monsieur had
company. So we retired and I did not return to the parlour till the company had
assembled. It consisted of Senators and Members entirely. The most awkward situation
that a young man can be put into in my mind, is to enter a room full of persons much
older than yourself, and set down among them without the slightest acquaintance with
any one. This is my fate generally, but custom has made it easy and with the help
of
darkness at the first shock my modesty has time to pass off. The fact is that one
will soon find these members to be no better than any one
else, after which he will get along very well.

The company consisted of Mr. Rufus King of New York, Mr. Talbot of Kentucky and Mr.
Williams of Mississipi, Senators, Mr. J. S. Barbour of Virginia, Mr. Cuthbert of
Georgia, Mr. Hobart of Massachusetts, “Our fair and loving Cousin,” Mr. Holcombe of
New Jersey, Judge Isaacs of Tennessee, Messrs. Jennings of Indiana, Kidder { 27 } of Maine, Letcher of Kentucky, Mangum of North Carolina, Marvin,
Sharpe and Wood of New York.2 The dinner was rather
an agreable one, I was much struck with the appearance and manners of Mr. King. He
has always been in my mind one of the first men in this country, and seems to me
now, to possess that sort of dignity which would make him my choice as President
before ten Monroes.3 As to abilities there can be no
possible comparison but unfortunately he is one of the victims to the vehement
outcry raised against Federalists of late years and has now nothing to do but to
retire soon from his seat in the Senate with the proud satisfaction of having spent
the best part of his life in the service of his country. A lot enviable as it is,
but not equal to the sum of his deserts.

I had the pleasure of the company of two western country gentlemen at my corner,
Mr. Letcher and Judge Isaacs. New Members both who edified me with an account of
“how they got into Congress,” evaded their constituents in certain points and so
forth. He [Letcher] also gave me some account of Mr. Pope and his
family which was far more amusing to me. I care not how the gentleman got into
Congress except that I know if he carried his election against Mr. Pope which it is
said is the case, I am sorry.4 We had some
conversation too as to the Greek question and others, in the course of which he
informed me that Mr. Clay would take probably no part in the debate. A circumstance
which astonished me considerably. But as he lives with Clay I took him for good
authority. Judge Isaacs diverted me very much and gave a good specimen of western
manners. As the champagne glasses were set on the table he was asked to drink wine.
He, supposing these to be [ . . . ] measure only, filled his glass and drank it almost
all. Finding out his mistake in the mean time, he stops and pours the rest directly
into his wine glass and drinks it off so. After which he took care to get a taste
of
the Champagne to make up. Mr. Barbour is a new member, and appears to be a real
Virginian with all their narrow prejudice, but at the same time somewhat of a good
fellow. We arose immediately after the ladies retired, and taking the dinner into
consideration generally it was rather pleasanter than usual. After drinking Coffee
they went off. The usual conversation took place and story after story was told
concerning almost nothing. It has often amused me to think of how little will serve
to entertain a number. Some little peculiarities picked up from almost any
individual, things which are so common that it is impossible to avoid noticing them,
will be matter of laughter to a great many when put into an extravagant light. This
is a place peculiarly fitted for sport { 28 } of this kind, as one has
mere report at command in sufficient quantities to bear him out. We separated at
about eleven o’clock after having spent a busy and in spite of my reflections rather
a pleasant day.

1. The President’s wife was the former Elizabeth Kortright, of New York. Mrs. George
Hay, the former Eliza Monroe, was their daughter (Cresson,
Monroe, p. 92, 93, 360).

3. Rufus King had been the unsuccessful Federalist candidate for President in 1816
(DAB).

4. John Pope (1770–1845), who had a long and distinguished
career in Kentucky politics, was the brother-in-law of LCA, having married Eliza
Johnson (d. 1818) (Biog. Dir.
Cong.; Bemis, JQA, 1:79–80, and note). See Adams
Genealogy.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0002

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-02

2d.

Spent the morning reading,1 which I was obliged to
omit yesterday on account of the Drawing Room. Continued the Essays with which I am
very much pleased as containing a great deal of observation although I do not think
highly of it’s morality. But this last was not a preeminent quality in the
author.

In the evening, we all went to Mrs. Wirt’s, to a ball.2 The rooms before the dancing begun were crowded to excess,
and I do not think that I ever saw so many ladies in one room in my life. The ball
room was opened and appeared to advantage at first but afterwards the lamps went out
or faded so much as to give an ugly tinge to the room and the women. The room was
also intolerably hot. There were but three cotillions in the whole room, which
number could employ but just one third or less of the dancers in the room, and these
pressed on so that dancing was not very pleasant. For my own part, I danced with
Miss Vail,3 Miss Selden, Miss McKnight4 and America Peter, besides a very short dance with Miss
Crowninshield as Papa forced her away before it was over.5

Miss Selden was as pleasant as she used to be and I enjoyed myself with her as much
as formerly. Miss McKnight has rather improved and become very conversible, she was
always remarkably ladylike. America Peter is just as she was and the very
circumstance united with her character makes her rather insipid. She probably never
will be very different. Miss Vail has been here so many Winters that she is now
taken more because she can make up a cotillion than { 29 } on account of
any attraction. She is however rather an agreable woman, although for a French woman
which she professes to be, it appears to me, that she is “excessivement
stupide.”

Young Vail appeared very attentive to Miss Crowninshield all the evening and
appeared very unwilling to give up her hand to me when it was due. And to get it
back he made applications to Miss Wirt for a Spanish dance which he knew I never
danced. This put me in such a passion that had not he given way I expect we should
have had a scene. I succeeded but after all it was not worth the trouble. Spanish
dances have come very much into fashion here through the influence of Miss Wirt and
other young ladies. They are very pretty but require so much grace that it is
impossible for me to risk any attitudes. So I do not practise them.

Miss Macomb6 is a very pretty young lady but owing
to some mistake I lost an opportunity of being introduced to her this evening which
I never since obtained. She is however so much engrossed by her lover that I do not
much care for the loss.

Among others I met Dugan,7 and had some
conversation. He informed me that the passage in the steam boat had been very rough,
and that they did not get to New York till Sunday night, which made me glad that I
had taken the other course. He appeared here with great modesty and if it was not
for a little, simpering, lurking vanity in his composition I should like him well
enough. As it is he is far preferable to the man he adores the worthy Mr.
Nicolson.8 But of this man, my journal was not
formed to treat. Young Vail I met again. There are so many of these that I must
distinguish them. The eldest, I (if ever I have again occasion to speak of him)
shall call broad face, the next, narrow face, and the youngest of whom I am now
speaking, the midshipman. He received orders tonight to go off, and was making great
lamentations about the matter.

But it became time to retire, and as our carriage was full we (John and myself) had
to beg carriage seats of Blunt and accordingly we went home with him, or at least
as
far as our house. The great trouble attending the parties here in Washington is that
the carriages always have difficulty in passing to the door. It is but seldom some
unfortunate accident does not happen. We had an instance yesterday, and this evening
another. Coachmen have a habit here of driving contrary ways to the same door which
brings the carriage poles tilting with each other. This came very near injuring Mr.
Crowninshield’s horses which caused him to swear most vociferously. And on our
return, we were crossed by a pair of horses with the front wheels of { 30 } a carriage only, on a full gallop. After a cup of tea at home we
separated for the night.

4. Ann McKnight, the orphaned niece of Commodore Stephen Decatur, was a good friend
of Mary C. Hellen and later asked JQA to stand as father at her wedding (JQA, Diary, 13 April 1831).

5. Either Elizabeth or Mary Crowninshield, one of the daughters of Benjamin Williams Crowninshield (1772–1851), Secretary of the Navy under
Presidents Madison and Monroe.

6. Daughter of General Alexander Macomb, who became commander in chief of the army
in 1828.

7. Presumably Frederick J. Dugan, of Baltimore, a freshman at Harvard who appears to
have been dismissed in March 1824 (Harvard Annual Cat., 1823; Records of the College Faculty, 10:63,
Harvard Archives).

8. Possibly Joseph H. Nicholson, of Baltimore, another Harvard freshman who appears
to have been dismissed in March 1824 (same).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0003

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-03

Saturday 3d.

I did not go out of the house all day. After spending my morning in reading Bacon
and the Atlas, I spent the rest of the day in the Drawing room with Madame and the
Ladies who are busily employed in the preparations for the eighth. The carriage
broken last night was Mr. Calhoun’s, and the horses started as she was going to get
in, a very providential escape particularly as she is in a critical situation.1

It amuses me much to observe the sports going on always at this time of the year
among the people. The guns, squibs and crackers going all the time appear to exhibit
so much happiness and content among the common people and the various little tricks
which they play are the relics of the old Christmas gambols. They appear to have
taken it into their heads to trick us, but it was only by tying a dead pig to the
door. They treated poor Mr. Lewis Johnson the tobacco man worse, for they took a
fancy to the figure of a little squab Dutchman smoking his pipe, which was his sign,
and they carried it off with them. This man is the successor of Duport a man known
to us of old. He could not bear this with any sort of patience, consequently posted
an advertisement with a reward together with a most lamentable complaint on the
subject, and numerous threats of vengeance. Rather imprudently, as I thought, for
the population here are not to be checked with impunity at this time. The good
people of the North are far too steady for my blood and although I may be saying
what I should not I cannot help preferring the traits of the Southern { 31 } character with all the faulty ones to the eternal purity of the
Northern hypocrites.

Sunday 4th.

I did not attend Church or go out of the house all day. I read some of Lord Bacon
contrary to custom as I take Sunday to be a holiday. But the principal part of the
day was employed in discussing politics and the Presidential question with Johnson
Hellen. I have become very much interested in it for want of something better to do,
and talk about probabilities and possibilities much more than I ever did before.
There are so many people one sees here playing so deep a game and staking almost all
upon the result that it is impossible not to feel as if one wished to crush them.
General Jackson is rising here considerably as it is understood that he has made up
almost all the old quarrels, and by sweetness of manner and piety of disposition is winning his way with success.1 I do not think him to be an intriguer however.

Mr. Calhoun, of whom Johnson entertained so many fears, is now on the descending
scale and will probably quit the field. There are flying rumours about Mr. Crawford
and his health, but no confidence can be placed in what is said concerning him. Mr.
Clay says he is confident of his election, as he is backed by his eight Western
states and will trust to Providence for five others. And last of all my father
appears to take the matter with most amazing coolness and upon any question being
asked him returns it with the diplomatic answer, We shall see. He does sometimes
explain himself more fully and we have pleasant conversation on this subject.
Johnson’s whole heart and soul appears to be fixed on the catastrophe, which
interests us all more or less. We spent the Evening “en
Famille.”

1. After Andrew Jackson was elected United States Senator from Tennessee in 1823,
his friends brought him and Clay together at a dinner in order to ease relations
between the two powerful men which had been strained by Clay’s bitter attacks on
Jackson’s military activities in Florida. Jackson himself then played host at a
large dinner attended by Clay, JQA, and Crawford, all presidential aspirants. JQA,
who had been Jackson’s champion in the military controversies between the General
and certain members of Monroe’s cabinet, returned the invitation by arranging a
great ball in Jackson’s honor for 8 January, the anniversary of the battle of New
Orleans. See James, Andrew
Jackson, p. 298 ff., 378, 381–384.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0005

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-05

Monday 5th.

This morning I read my Geography and Bacon for the last time { 32 } for
a week or ten days, as the house is about to be turned topsy turvy for that time.
Monsieur was moved from his Library and Study up into John’s sitting room. For his
room was converted into a ball room. The pillars were put up to day as it was
thought necessary to prop the house. Twelve of them were put up. And Madame set us
all busily to work making wreaths. I also went to Georgetown in the carriage to day
with Mary, myself to get some Money, a draft for which had been given me by Mrs.
Clark1 when I set out. Mary went on some business
for Madame. We stopped also at the Flower Warehouse where I gave some directions for
John.2 We returned very soon after quite a
pleasant ride although I am obliged to be amazingly cautious in my conduct towards
her. The relatives I perceive watch me so closely now that I am always forced to
keep a certain level. If in either too high or too low spirits for any time in her
presence, it is set down immediately as a relapse. She has some alluring ways which
are apt to make every man forget myself, but she is not what she was, and I have had
too hard a trial to think of ever wishing to endure the same. George too, but
fortunately (for indeed I cannot help thinking so) he is not with us, would be in
a
perfect fever and sickness if he was to imagine that she had encouraged me in the
least as he would certainly.3 Our connection however
was long since thoroughly broken off and we have been mutually guarded ever
since.4 Mr. Fuller came, and talked to me about
invitations and the Lord knows what, all which I referred to Madame. Thus went the
day.

1. Susanna Boylston (Adams) Clark (1796–1884), the widowed
daughter of Charles Adams (1770–1800), the younger brother of
JQA. She lived at the Old House in Quincy as a companion to her grandfather, JA.
See Adams Genealogy.

2. CFA doubtless meant “the Flour Warehouse,” i.e. the Columbia Mills on Rock Creek,
which were currently (and badly) managed by relatives of LCA with financial help
from JQA. JA2 later took over the management of this enterprise and it became
known as the Adams Mill. An Adams Mill Road remains in the National Zoological
Gardens, but the buildings have completely disappeared. See Bemis, JQA, 2:197–200; Columbia Hist. Soc., Records,
31–32 (1930):100–101.

3. CFA hastily (and confusedly) corrected this sentence in the MS and undoubtedly wished it to read: “George, too, but fortunately (for
indeed I cannot help thinking so) he is not with us, would be in a perfect fever
and sickness if he was to imagine, as he would certainly, that she had encouraged
me in the least.”

4. Mary Catherine Hellen, LCA’s niece who lived with the Adams family, was the
object of affection of all three of the Adams boys. She had become engaged to GWA
in 1823, but when JA2 returned home after having been expelled from Harvard, she
transferred her interest to him. Early in 1824 the observant and tolerant LCA
noticed that Mary was “playing a game which no one ever comprehend[s] but the initiated,” meaning probably that her niece was flirting with
CFA. See LCA to GWA, 7 Dec. 1823, and 1 Jan. 1824, Adams
Papers; entries for 19 and 20 May, below; Bemis, JQA, 2:116, 118.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0006

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-06

Tuesday 6th.

The house all in disorder today and every body employed in fixing the lower rooms.
Wreaths were making and hanging as fast as possible. We dined in Madame’s dressing
Room. It was the intention to have the three rooms open on each floor. But the crowd
is to be so great that the four will be open. Accordingly Madame moved to the room
above hers, and the pantry was taken down. It was the regular evening for the
party1 but as we expected nobody we did not dress,
the house was full however, and John went down at about nine o’clock. Johnson and
myself staid upstairs, it being too much trouble for the pleasure which I was to
derive from it. After a comfortable cup of tea and glass of punch in John’s room now
turned into Monsieur’s study, we went to rest, and I was lulled to sleep by the
soporiferous sounds of the piano downstairs.

7th.

Employed to day, much in the same way with the whole of the last week. The wreaths
were hung round the large room to day and the glasses prepared, the other rooms were
also brought in a state of forwardness, but not completed because the wreaths
expected from the Navy Yard did not arrive. Aunt Frye spent the afternoon and
evening here, who was also enlisted in the service and we all worked very
vehemently. There is one thing which I am very sorry for, that is that upon such
occasions, Madame gets so excited by her plans, that it makes her most exceedingly
susceptible. Consequently it is hardly possible to avoid offence. This evening I was
very much grieved by the effect of a few words from Johnson which were soon remedied
however as she knows well, he could have no other feelings to her than affectionate
ones. Separated at about eleven.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0008

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-08

Thursday. 8th.

We were busily employed during the whole course of the day in arranging the supper
table and the rooms below. It does not appear to me that I had one minute’s rest
during the day. A Supper table was laid with seventy covers, but as the crowd was
to
be so great the people were to eat standing. The rooms were all to be opened except
Madame’s, which was to be used as a punch room, as it opened into the Supper room.
The chalking below, took the whole { 34 } day, and had a pretty effect.
We took an early dinner at a little after four, and were prepared at six all except
the lighting up. Company flocked in so early, that they could hardly get through
with this in season. And it was not till the upper rooms (only two were opened at
first) were crowded to suffocation almost, that the lower ones were thrown open.1

Now the ladies must be carried down, so I meeting Miss Vail first, immediately
offered my arm and down we went among the first. The effect was very beautiful. The
rooms all round were hung with wreaths stuck with roses, and in each festoon a small
illumination lamp was fixed, and at the angles, large bouquets. The pillars also,
were wreathed all up in order to match. At the extreme, Monsieur’s book case was
stationed it being thought too heavy for removal but it was covered with green, and
on the top were placed a whole forest of flower pots with pretty flowers, and
between them were illumination lamps. The lustre was woven with green and from the
top there hung a festoon which attached itself to the top of each pillar. This was
the appearance of three rooms. The floors were chalked with eagles, flowers etc.

The general, to whom all this was given, appeared and won his way through every
thing, the hero of the evening. Every body wanted to see him, every body to speak
to
him. He is tall and rather thin with an exceedingly wrinkled and narrow face a
little stern but not commonly expressing the quality he is so noted for. For myself
after dancing rather a stupid set with Miss Vail I was very glad to get off and
begin to look about me. So I went upstairs for a little conversation, found up
there, Mary and Miss McKnight together talking so I just stood and talked with them
for a little while. And walking about as well as I could through the crowd I
happened to meet Mrs. Thornton2 puffing and blowing
at the heat who upon seeing me, immediately tacked me to Miss Calvert whom I never
had the pleasure of seeing before, and begged me to go down which I accordingly did.
After a great deal of trouble to find a place I got one in the second room. In the
mean time to divert her I carried her around the rooms and excited my talkative
powers to the utmost but if ever stupidity existed I think it must be here. She is
young and new, which may be some reason, but I should scarcely imagine this to be
enough for such a lack of power. She knew no body and therefore stood silent when
I
did not speak to her. This was very tiresome to me and I cursed Mrs. Thornton.
Finally though she happened to meet a boarding school acquaintance and then had
tongue enough to talk, but from the { 35 } sample of their conversation
which I was obliged to overhear, I did not think much of it. The dance appeared long
to me and I was very heartily glad when the end of it put a stop to so hard a task
upon my civility.

I was impatient also on another account. Mr. and Mrs. Brent, the new married
couple, whose wedding on Tuesday night I forgot to mention, had just come in, with
Anne and Cornelia “en attendance.” One of them, Anne, I immediately seized upon, and
after some exertion obtained a place for her in the dance. This cottillion was as
much too short as the other was too long, for I was so happy in seeing one of my
“favoris”3 again that I did not mind the minutes
as they passed. She is rather a silent girl than otherwise, but there is a sort of
feeling of voluptuousness around her that always makes me delighted to dance with
her. She is one of those women whose very looks and eye cannot help discovering to
a
man that her passions are always making strange work within. I promised myself
another dance with her, which owing to the crowd I did not obtain. After a short
interval, I met Cornelia and had a great deal of very pleasant conversation with
her. She talks more than her sister and is more beautiful but so young yet that she
has not attained to that power over my feelings which Anne has. I asked her many
questions as to the billet of ladies sent me to dream on with the wedding cake and
had almost said she would have come nearer to my dreams if she had sent her own
name, but I thought it would have been too much of a
compliment and perhaps, a truth. With perseverance, we managed to obtain a place in
a cottillion, and danced a long dance which appeared so short to me that every set,
I swore we had danced one less than before, until I found people out becoming
offended, (justly perhaps) when I gave way. She did look uncommonly beautiful this
evening.

It became now almost supper time and as I had not spoken to Miss Selden the whole
evening I went up to her, and had a pleasant conversation with her. The ladies and
gentlemen were most of them unaware at least downstairs that the supper room was
open. Consequently I took the advantage, and when her dance was over, slipped her
arm in mine and carried her upstairs. Although the room was very crowded I managed
to push through all opposition and we walked all round the supper observing every
thing and every body. She is very pleasant and full of fire and life. She introduced
me to Mrs. Miller the half sister of Mr. Crawford as [if] I was to
see a curiosity. The old lady was rather amusing and overpowered us by the profusion
{ 36 } of her “honey.” Professor Everett was here but as I was not
honoured with a bow, I gave none.

We returned downstairs and then had a very pleasant dance, for by this time the
room had become very thin on account of the news of Supper. This continual exercise
had fatigued me exceedingly, and had I not been enlivened by music and wine, I do
not think I could have got through it. Being now somewhat excited by these causes
I
danced with Miss McKnight, a young lady whom I had the pleasure of dancing with at
Mrs. Wirt’s and who is an old acquaintance. The fact is that I take no pleasure in
any except the old acquaintance and have been introduced to but two new ladies this
Winter Miss Calvert and Miss Crowninshield, neither of whom have given me any wish
or desire to become acquainted with more. This was the last cottillion which I
danced as I found the fatigue fast growing upon me. So I went back to the tables to
talk with Johnson in a corner.

Thus passed the evening and the company by this time were going off in crowds, so
that the dances were changed to reels. As I felt as if I had not finished the
evening, I again selected Miss Selden and we danced or at least I walked a reel, for
I was perfectly done up, and in consequence ordered the music to stop long before
it
was wished. After making my excuses to her I went upstairs and threw myself on the
sofa perfectly exhausted. Miss Cranch4 staid here
according to invitation. I had been hunting for her all the evening, without
success. The tables exhibited a picture of devastation, for I never saw a place in
my life in which there is more eating at balls than here. Even some ladies have a
marvellous faculty of destroying good things. I dragged myself to bed, complaining
even of the trouble of undressing myself.

1. JQA handsomely returned Andrew Jackson’s invitation (see entry for 4 Jan., above) by giving an elaborate ball in his honor
on the anniversary of the victory at New Orleans. One thousand guests were
invited, including all members of both houses of Congress but two (Alexander Smyth
and John Floyd, who had offended the Secretary of State). Speaker Clay and
Secretary of War Calhoun attended, but President Monroe excused himself to avoid
giving an impression of favoring anyone for the succession.

Women were brilliantly gowned, and all the men except JQA wore full-dress
attire—blue coats, gilt buttons, white or buff waistcoats, white neckties, high
chokers, white trousers, silk stockings, and pumps. House decorations were made of
tissue paper and evergreens, and the floors were chalked with eagles, flags, and a
motto, “Welcome to the Hero of New Orleans.” See JQA,
Diary, 6 and 8 Jan. 1824; Mary S. Lockwood, Historic
Homes in Washington, N.Y., 1889, p. 72; Gouverneur,
As I Remember, p. 279–282; James, Andrew Jackson, p.
384.

2. Mrs. William Thornton, the former Anna Maria Brodeau, wife of the noted doctor
and architect (DAB).

3. CFA repeatedly uses this expression, which in French is the masculine form
(feminine: “favorites”), for the girls he liked best as social companions.

9th.

Arose this morning very late owing to the lateness of the hour last evening when we
retired. As I had not been to the House of Representatives I determined to go to
day. John and Johnson went with me. Met Wyer1 who
appeared to be in an extasy with the party last night. Blunt also appeared much
pleased. Inquired as to Madame’s misfortune. In the latter part of the evening one
of the illumination lamps cracked and dropped its contents directly upon her dress.
It was very late though and of no importance. The number of people I imagine to have
been there, amounted to between nine and eleven hundred.

We came to the House in time, for we witnessed a most interesting discussion
arising out of a motion for the appropriation of a sum of money to the widowed
mother of Commodore Perry. Mr. Hamilton who brought in the bill, supported it in a
short and it appeared to me rather laboured speech. He attempted to be eloquent but
failed. There was no argument in the discussion as it was rather an appeal to the
feelings of the House than reasoning in it’s favour. I have read his speech since
and am inclined to think much better of it in writing than I did when he delivered
it. He appeared to have laboured it too much and although in the subsequent part of
the debate it was lauded to the skies I knew too well the system of alternate
puffing which exists here to mind their words. Mr. Henry of Kentucky followed him
on
the same side in an appeal of the same sort.

Mr. Wickliffe made some remarks on the impolicy of the measure as it was forming a
larger class of pensioners than the country was able or willing to support and
consequently to try the strength of the House on the subject he moved to strike out
the enacting clause of the bill. Mr. Fuller made some remarks which I could not
hear. Mr. Stevenson then rose and delivered a speech which he intended to be a great
one but which appeared to me to be nothing but fustian rant from it’s commencement
to the close. He has in great perfection the raving stamping manner of the Southern
Orators, a manner which to me is every thing disagreable. Mr. Cobb made some
observations in answer, in which I thought I discovered his malignant spirit with
great ease. He is a radical however.

Mr. Clay then rose and made some remarks, many of which were very forcible. He
argued that it was forming a dangerous precedent, { 38 } which at some
time or other would involve the nation in a debt as deep as that of England. That
if
we made an appropriation in this case we ought to make an appropriation for the
mother or widow of every Officer or private soldier whenever one should happen to
die. He said that whatever his feelings might urge him to do, he must restrain
himself within the sober and strict limits of prudence. That we cannot be governed
by generosity in states for we should be led to ruin. This is a good argument but
we
shall see how consistent he is very soon. He also showed some spite to General
Jackson in his speech by some very severe remarks crying out, heroes, God knows we
had heroes enough already for nowadays every man was a hero. These observations
offended a great many here and with reason for it showed that he was galled by the
increasing popularity of this gentleman.

Mr. McDuffie supported the bill and opposed the amendment, arguing that it was
politic and generous at the same time. And in answer to Mr. Clay said that Officers
ought to have this money appropriated before soldiers as they could be the only ones
supposed to be excited by any noble feelings, the soldiers being only mercenaries.
An argument which appeared a marvellous flimsy one to me. Mr. Hamilton retorted
severely upon Mr. Clay. But I was so displeased with his first speech I did not
attend much to the second. Mr. Randolph asked Clay a question. Did he not [word omitted] for an appropriation for the same purpose two years
ago, to which he replied that he had, but that one fault committed was no reason for
his committing another, that he had been carried away, a reason which excused him,
but did not say much for his firmness or consistency. But this is only a slight
matter. The amendment was carried by a large majority and to “save appearances” as
Randolph said the bill was recommitted.2 We came
home very much gratified by what we had the pleasure of hearing. We spent the
evening quietly at home, and then retired, at a very early hour.

1. Edward Wyer, who had served as American consul at Riga during JQA’s mission to
Russia, was now stationed in Hamburg. An occasional dispatch bearer in the State
Department, he became a confidential legman for JQA and a go-between in the later
negotiations to throw Clay’s presidential support to JQA (U.S. Official Register, 1825, p. 13; Bemis, JQA, 2:24, 37, 42).

2. CFA confused the order of the debates on the bill for the relief of Sarah Perry,
but his memory of the content of the speeches was generally good. Briefly, Fuller
of Massachusetts, James Hamilton Jr. (1786–1857), of South
Carolina, and Robert Pryor Henry (1788–1826), of Kentucky,
asked that Mrs. Perry be pensioned in gratitude for the deeds of her son, Oliver
Hazard Perry (see DAB), and
in consideration of her need. Charles Anderson Wickliffe
(1788–1869), of Kentucky, moved to strike out the enacting clause of the
bill, and { 39 } Thomas Willis Cobb (1784–1830), of
Georgia, supported him, arguing that the pension system ought to be severely
limited and adding, gratuitously, that unchecked impulses might eventuate in
pensioning families even of common soldiers. George McDuffie
(1790–1851), of South Carolina, dismissed Cobb’s inference with the
observation that officers added luster to a nation through military renown and
deserved our gratitude, while soldiers were only mercenaries and did not. At this
point Andrew Stevenson (1784–1857), of Virginia, made his
emotional appeal in support of the nation’s heroes, and Clay retorted, “Every man
now is a hero.” John Randolph, of Virginia, then asked Clay why he had voted for
an earlier bill to relieve Perry’s family; Clay replied; and Hamilton made his
second plea. See Annals of
Congress, 18 Cong., 1 sess., p. 965–984.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0010

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-10

Saturday 10th.

My fatigue has not yet gone off entirely and as this was a day of no interest out
I
determined to remain at home and recruit a little. Miss Cranch is still here. She
is
one of the most silent young ladies I have ever met with and as none of us unluckily
have had the formality of an introduction to her, she does not appear to think
herself acquainted. I have not heard her say four words since she has been in the
house.1 Judge Cranch, her father, paid a morning
visit here. He is a man of perfectly old fashioned New England manners which are so
affectionate that they cannot be unpleasant. Poor man, he has been severely
chastened in this world.2 The evening was spent in
looking over my father’s budget of newspapers and discussing politics with Johnson
who at the present time is exceedingly apprehensive concerning the state of New
York. No occurrences or remarkable news consequently we retired early.

1. In his short-entry Diary (D/CFA/1) for this date, CFA summed up his feelings
about his mother’s house guest: “Miss Cranch flat.”

2. Judge Cranch had lost five of his thirteen children, two dying in 1822. One more
was to die later in 1824 (Greenleaf, Greenleaf Family, p. 222–223).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0011

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-11

11th.

Again this day was spent without going near to a Church making the fourth Sunday
since I have been to divine service a matter which I am beginning to be quite
ashamed of. I took a walk with Johnson up to the Capitol and back1 and spent the rest of my day in something of a lounge.
Ennui came very near seizing upon me, as I am totally unable to prosecute my
inquiries with any sort of diligence. Monsieur is in possession of John’s room, and
although Madame has again moved into her own by which means we have a temporary
possession of that room it is so cold and uncomfortable that I can do nothing. We
still eat in Madame’s dressing room as the lower rooms have not yet been touched.
We
spent the Evening in a very dull manner, as { 40 } Miss Cranch sat mum
and we had all long ago exhausted our stories, so John asked for tea and went to
bed.

Monday. 12th.

As it had now become pretty late and the debates will soon become interesting, I
fixed it as a general rule to walk up to the House of Representatives every day. So
I commenced to day. Mr. Hemphill delivered a speech today upon a bill lately brought
in by himself to authorize the President to employ surveyers for an estimate of the
expense of any canal which may be proposed. He is not a pleasant speaker, and so low
in his voice that I was unable to hear him.1 So I
gave it up with some ill will as he is said to be a man of some worth, and returned
home. Johnson having staid here as long as he thought he was able, determined to go
back to Rockville today. Much to the sorrow of us all. He appeared considerably
affected himself but more by the “news from New York” which has been unfavourable
for some days back.2 At four he got into the stage
and was off.

John was employed all day in overlooking the room below, as he was fixed in dining
there today. The pillars were taken down from two rooms, but were left standing in
Monsieur’s. He succeeded in his project and we again obtained an appearance of
comfort. The news from New York today was such as would very much have affected
Johnson had he been here and as it is will probably make him very sick at Rockville.
The family all went to Mrs. Wirt’s except John and myself who understanding it to
be
nothing but a musical party remained at home. Miss Mary Roberdeau3 called this morning to invite Madame, and to pay her first
visit. She is understood now to be a February belle and only comes to see Madame and the 1st of January.4 John and I after examining the papers, and taking tea, went
to bed.

1. Joseph Hemphill (1770–1842), of Pennsylvania, an early
Federalist and chairman of the Committee on Roads and Canals, argued for “An Act
to procure the necessary surveys, plans, and estimates, upon the subject of Roads
and Canals,” specifically urging a grant of $30,000 to underwrite the bill (Annals of Congress, 18 Cong., 1
sess., p. 242, 990–999).

2. The New York legislature, in what appeared to be an alliance with Virginia,
declared in favor of a caucus nomination for President, which inevitably would go
to William H. Crawford. Though states favoring other candidates had rejected
congressional dictation, JQA knew he needed New York’s votes to win the
Presidency, and the Empire State’s decision was a serious setback to his ambition.
See JQA, Diary, 12 Jan. 1824; Bemis, JQA, 2:15.

Tuesday 13th.

Owing to the uninteresting speaker yesterday I omitted going to the Capitol today,
but took a walk round the city, which appears to be considerably improving. Monsieur
returned to his room to day much to my pleasure as we shall immediately begin to
look natural. We took possession of John’s room again and I am in hopes very soon
to
get about my usual occupations.

In the evening, we were invited to Mrs. Calhoun’s and accordingly went. As the
carriage was only able to hold four Mrs. Sullivan was asked to call and give us two
seats and Mrs. Chancey1 one. So that Abby and myself
went with the first and Mary with the last. Hardly had we arisen from dinner however
before Mr. Sullivan called. None of us dressed as it was a most unseasonable hour;
I
had to hurry on my things however, and jump in, with the most disagreable haste
imaginable. Abby was just ready and we went off. Not more than a dozen or so had
collected and I had the most stupid half hour that mortal ever knew. At length the
house being pretty full the back room was opened and I danced the first dance with
Miss McKnight. Then with Miss Sperry, a young lady from Philadelphia, to whom I was
introduced by Mr. Sullivan for the sake of acquaintance. She was rather a lively and
pleasant girl, affording me considerable entertainment as it is only to the
disagreable usually that such introductions are necessary. Sometimes though a case
of this kind happens. She has no striking beauty but rather a pleasant countenance
than otherwise, expressed herself delighted with Washington and sorry to leave it
so
soon Tomorrow. From her, I went to Miss Selden, for it was impossible to delay any
longer, and after some very pleasant conversation in a room where a little air might
be obtained, we took a place in the dance. She certainly is the most entertaining
girl as an acquaintance that I meet with. She has also a number of attractions which
it is hard for a common person to withstand. I found dancing generally however a
pretty dull business tonight so I left it off. I asked Miss Cranch in compliment.
Three great Indians were there, very handsome men, at least one is and the
other[s] had been. There was also a young squaw, who was matter
of great diversion to Miss McKnight for whom she appeared to have taken a great
fondness.

I returned early with Madame having no wish to go with Mr. Sullivan as it is his
plan to go as late as he comes early. We laughed considerably at the meanness of the
entertainment and that he had spread part of it under his bed curtains. (The bed
being taken away.) John and Mary did not get home till quite late.

14th.

This day, as we heard Mr. Clay was going to speak and answer Mr. Barbour who spoke
yesterday, we, (all the family) went to hear him. He had commenced before we got
there so that it was hardly possible to obtain a seat even for the ladies. John had
something of a task and so had I, for there were four ladies to attend to, in a
great crowd. After settling them, by dint of perseverance we obtained something a
little like a place to hear but not to see. From what I was able to gather it was
a
fine speech, and put up with more argument than he generally condescends to use. He
supported Mr. Hemphill’s bill and opposed Mr. Barbour’s motion of yesterday to
strike out the enacting clause. He gave Mr. Barbour a number of slight dashes but
nothing of the bitter sarcasm which he is so fond of using on these occasions. He
argued the words of the constitution thus: “Congress shall have power to establish
post offices and post roads.” In this he argued the word established meant to create
and Congress had the power to make roads in any state or territory which it should
think fit. This is about the whole subject of discussion as the other part insists
that Congress has no right to do any thing but select the road on which the mail is
to be run and assign post offices.

It is a question in which there is a show of reason on each side. And I am rather
inclined to think myself that the words were intended as the Virginians construed
them, but if so I think the constitution should be amended for at the time of the
formation of the constitution we had no inland states to demand assistance in the
way of roads or canals. Mr. Clay stated this argument and exposed the condition of
the West, in a very handsome manner, and was commencing a very handsome appeal to
the feelings when Mr. Barbour got up for the purpose of explaining away ostensibly,
but really to break it up which he did. After speaking for about two hours and a
half he sat down and the question was taken as to Mr. Barbour’s amendment and lost
ayes 116. Noes about 80. Immediately after which the House adjourned and we went
home. On the whole very much pleased indeed. Mr. C. is one of the first speakers in
this country, in manner, voice, gesture and simplicity of language. The flexibility
and variety of his tones is astonishing.1

In the evening, we did intend having an oyster supper, but were { 43 } interrupted by Messieurs Connell2 and Blunt who
came and spent the evening. So we were obliged to delay it.

1. Clay’s speech on Hemphill’s bill to provide surveys and plans for a system of
roads and canals was one of his great efforts to promote internal improvements. In
closing he argued eloquently that “the bill on your table is no Western bill. It
is emphatically a national bill, comprehending all, looking to the interests of
the whole” (Annals of
Congress, 18 Cong., 1 sess., p. 1040). This was also the view of JQA,
who would not have agreed with his son’s view that the Constitution needed
amending in order to launch such a program.

The vote on Barbour’s motion to strike the enacting clause was 74–109; the
amendment for $30,000 won with 105 yeas, while the vote of the Committee of the
Whole House to report on engrossing the bill for a third reading was 114–82 (same,
p. 1041).

Thursday. 15th.

I resumed today the usual course of studies at least in part by reading two maps of
America—and should have read Bacon, had I been able to find the book, but as I could
not ’twas not possible. After this I went to the House and heard the last part of
the speech of Mr. Wood of New York1 against the
bill. Although it was decided pretty well yesterday it appears that it’s opponents
are determined not to give up the ground without fighting. His arguments were close
as far as I heard them and very argumentative but as his manner is unpleasant, I did
not pay great attention to him. I have heard all the arguments which he used before,
and it appears to me it can only be a quibble upon a word, for there are few who
will not allow the expediency of the measures. He finished with a severe speech,
saying that the gentleman from New Jersey, (Dr. Holcombe) the other day had spoken
of a new Era. A new Era, if the gentleman meant that a new era was to rise on the
ruins of the constitution; he must allow that he was very far from wishing any such
thing.2 Mr. Mallary arose after him and commenced
a long and dull speech against the bill. As he has the character here of being long
and dull among the members I was not sorry that I was obliged to leave him. He was
doing nothing but repeating the old strain.3 It
appears to me hardly worthwhile to oppose this bill any longer for there is a
decided majority in the House in it’s favour and now it will be hardly possible to
put the bill to sleep by delay. So I left the House and walked home in order to
dress time enough for the company to dinner.

Those consisted of Messrs. Brown of Ohio, De Wolfe of Rhode Island, Johnson of
Kentucky and Thomas of Illinois, Members of the Senate. Messrs. Burleigh and Sibley
of Maine, Call, delegate from { 44 } Florida, Hamilton of South Carolina,
Johnson of Kentucky, Lee of Maryland, Livingston of Louisiana, Martindale and Van
Rensselaer of New York, Owen of Alabama, Rich of Vermont, and Rogers of
Pennsylvania.4 I had the extreme honour of sitting
at the corner with Mr. Jesse B. Thomas and Col. Richard M. Johnson. The former
honours our house for the first time, as he has learned hypocrisy in addition to
villainy which he knew long ago or if I may not call it so harsh a name,
dishonourable and ungentlemanly conduct.5 Col.
Richard M. is a really good natured sort of a rough Kentucky man, who got the
reputation of having killed Tecumseh in the last War, without any foundation, it is
said. He gave us an account of what he is more fond of probably than War, an
electioneering campaign. He told us the number of years he had been in Congress,
House and Senate, and how he managed to get in. How he used to play the stump orator
to the admiration and with the applause of thousands, and moreover how he knocked
out the heads of the whiskey barrels which was the strongest reason probably for his
election. He supported this system against Mr. Rich and Mr. Van Rensselaer,
opposite, who took it all coolly. This was all the diversion at dinner. John got
into an awkward situation with Mr. Rich in drinking wine which made me laugh
heartily. The party soon broke up and we retired.

I forgot entirely to mention here that we went to a party afterwards at Mrs.
Ringgold’s,6 where we spent the evening very
pleasantly. It was a singular oversight and caused by hurry, when I wrote the day.
I
went with the girls and John. I danced with Miss Clapham7 for the first time, a very voluptuous looking girl, with a
lively black eye, and Miss Crowninshield. I also had some conversation with Dr. May,
a graduate of Harvard.8 Principally concerning the
Porcellian Club.9 The evening was soon over as we
came late and we retired and arrived at home safe.

2. The “new era,” Dr. George Holcombe announced, would be ushered in by millions of
Western voters who were interested in internal improvements. Holcombe further
argued that internal improvements were constitutionally warranted (same, p.
1013–1021).

3. Rollin Carolas Mallary (1784–1831), of Vermont, maintained
that Congress could build roads only under an original or exclusive grant of power
by the Constitution (same, p. 1057–1063).

5. Senator Thomas led an Illinois faction hostile to JQA. An ally of Crawford, he
sought to embarrass and divide the Adams men by having the impending caucus offer
JQA the vice-presidential nomination. That he could be linked with Crawford,
chosen as second best, and, without consultation, made party to a deal infuriated
the Secretary of State. See Pease, Frontier State, ch. 5, and JQA,
Diary, 17, 20 Jan., 4 Feb. 1824.

6. This paragraph was added at the end of D/CFA/3, where CFA noted that it was to be
added to the present entry. Mrs. Tench Ringgold was the wife of the marshal of the
District of Columbia (Cresson, Monroe, p. 472).

7. Presumably the daughter of Josias Clapham, one of the directors of the Potomac
Company.

9. The “Porcellian” or “Pig Club” dated from 1791 and included the “bloods of
Harvard,” the “most lively and convivial lads in the College.” By 1800 it had
become the most aristocratic club on campus and membership in it was the capstone
of undergraduate social ambition. The Porcellian motto, “Dum vivimus vivamus,”
summed up the club’s purpose. See Morison, Three Centuries of Harvard, p. 181–182.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0016

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-16

Friday. 16th.

After reading my maps and having a pleasant morning conversation after breakfast on
the state of parties I went to the Capitol and heard Mr. McDuffie of South Carolina
deliver an argument in favour of his amendment to the Constitution respecting the
election of President and Vice President of the United States.1 This man has been famous to this day only for possessing
talents to be shown in future and for a most ridiculous affair of a duel with a man
by the name of Cumming, in which they reviled each other for cowards for some time,
met four times, twice without coming to any conclusion and twice seriously in which
Mr. McDuffie was wounded both times.2 He is supposed
to be an able man and is now coming out. His delivery is not popular however as I
perceived the galleries thinning off as he proceeded until there was hardly a person
left. I do not think him a catching orator by any means.

He commenced by telling them that he disclaimed any thing like personal or
interested observations, and this might be known by the fact that this could not be
passed time enough to bear upon the next election. He then tried to prove the
necessity of the measure and traced to the time when complaints had first been made
against this part of the constitution. He argued against the final decision in the
House of Representatives as it is now laid down from three reasons. First that it
was destroying the expression of the will of the majority as the smallest states had
a voice equal to the largest, and by this { 46 } means, a number of small
states connected together might force a president upon far the greater number of the
nation. Sectional feeling might influence these states to act together on any great
interest, by which means the expression of the popular voice would be entirely
disowned. Secondly, he argued that Members might be influenced by bribery which once
getting a hold in this House would ruin the independence of the nation. He meant
nothing disrespectful to the House, but he must describe nature not as we wish it
to
be, but as it is. Men would be influenced by prospects and while this was the case
it could not but be an unfair mode of decision. Thirdly. If they were not bribed,
almost every man was influenced in some degree, by feelings of friendship to
individuals, the most just man on earth could not restrain them, his feelings would
blind him to the faults of his candidate and the virtues of the opposing ones, so
that he would not give a fair vote on the subject. He concluded by saying that
whatever fame other men might wish, he would rest satisfied with the portion of fame
allotted to him if this bill was sanctioned and became a law.

On the whole it was a sound speech but not a very interesting one, he used no
figures or dashes but simply stated a course of argument which must convince every
one of one point, that a change is necessary. But whether Mr. McDuffie’s amendment
is the best, is a question which admits of much more doubt. It is to divide the
population of the United States into a certain number of districts each of which is
to choose an elector and a certain number of these will elect a president and vice
president. He supported this not as perfect but as the best to be got. The former
arguments though will apply with equal force against this, consequently, it would
be
better if any change be made to refer it without any mediation to the people
directly, and in this way the people which is the important matter, will have the
decision of the question in their own hands where it belongs. He sat down and the
House adjourned immediately so I returned home very well satisfied with Mr. McDuffie
although I do not think him the great genius he is said to be.

After dinner we went to Aunt Frye’s, that is to say four of us, John and Monsieur
at home, and Miss Cranch gone yesterday which I forgot to mention in it’s proper
place. Major General Brown and three daughters or two I forget which with Mrs.
B.3 and Major Kirby4 were there, also Mrs. Thomson5 and her daughter
Mrs. Hersant,6 who really is almost too far advanced
in her pregnancy to go out at all but she buffets it through our most crowded
parties. The younger part { 47 } of us sat down and played loto, a most
amazingly stupid game, so we got away as soon as possible. I could not have the
conscience to speak to Mrs. Hersant consequently avoided the room. We went home
early after having spent a very “mediocre” evening.

1. On 5 December 1823 George McDuffie, a Calhounite, had asked for the appointment
of a special committee to consider amending the Constitution. The plan, presented
on 22 December, proposed that: (1) each state should be divided into as many
districts as would equal the number of Representatives to which the state was
entitled, and each district would choose one elector to vote for the President and
the Vice President, and that the electors thus appointed in each state would
choose the two additional electors to which the state was entitled; (2) if no
candidate won a majority on the first ballot, the electors should meet immediately
in their respective states and vote for one of the two persons having the highest
number of votes; (3) only in the unusual event that no candidate was then able to
obtain a majority of votes (McDuffie explained in a supporting speech) would
Congress, voting as one body with one vote for each member, choose a
President.

Calhoun’s political prospects inspired McDuffie’s amendments. Calhoun’s friends
knew that he was not likely to receive the votes of the large states (committed
that year to JQA or to Crawford) or of a caucus (dominated by Crawfordites that
session), so they planned for the future. The votes of the people, unobstructed by
political mechanisms, could elect Calhoun, they hoped. Although discussed in
Congress until 1827, the proposed amendment was never approved. See Annals of Congress, 18 Cong., 1
sess., p. 801, 1067–1082; U.S., House of Representatives, Report [of the Select Committee on Amending the Constitution], 18 Cong., 1
sess., Vol. I, No. 8; Herbert V. Ames, The Proposed Amendments
to the Constitution of the United States (Amer. Hist. Assoc., Annual Report for 1896, Vol. II), p. 84, 89, 108, 338, 340,
342, which, however, does not accurately report McDuffie’s intentions as outlined
in his speech of 16 Jan. 1824; and Bemis, JQA, 2:11–30.

2. McDuffie’s duel with William Cumming, of Georgia, grew out of the rivalry between
Calhoun and Crawford for the Presidency in 1821–1822. Injured in the spine,
McDuffie was never again a well man (DAB).

3. Jacob Jennings Brown (1775–1828) and his wife, the former
Pamelia Williams (DAB).

5. Possibly Mrs. Smith Thompson, whose husband was appointed a judge after his
service in Monroe’s cabinet as Secretary of the Navy (JQA,
Diary, 21 Jan. 1824; Bemis, JQA, 2:390).

6. Mrs. Hersant’s husband was a member of the French legation in Washington (JQA, Diary, 11 Feb. 1820).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0017

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-17

Saturday. 17th.

Spent this morning at home, and read my maps. As there was no House of
Representatives, I was obliged to amuse myself as I could. I agreed to accompany
Madame and the Girls to Mr. King’s painting rooms1
after their return from Georgetown whither they went in the Carriage with John. They
did not return till late and Mr. Cheves2 was
introduced and received, but this was so good an opportunity that I did not wish it
lost so we went. The pictures, some of them are excellent, others only moderate and
others bad. That of Cyr. King of Maine3 is said to
be good, Mr. Wirt’s is good, General Brown’s { 48 } and a number of
others are remarkably fine. I think my father’s a good one, but by no means so good
as I think one could be made.4 His eyes are placed
in such a way that one appears directly over his nose. He has some very sweet fruit
pieces, which would adorn a summer house or even a dinner parlour very much. Some
voluptuous pieces also which it would not do to notice before ladies. One in
particular which appeared to be Joseph and the wife of Potiphar although we could
not see for a veil which John and myself attempted to raise, when we discovered the
deception. It was very accurate.

We went down into his painting room, he was copying his portrait of Mr. Webster,
which is one of his best likenesses as it appears to me. The eyebrows and expression
of the eyes is very admirably copied. There was also a portrait of John Mason, not
finished but nearly so, which was a remarkable likeness. One of Mrs. Mason also.5 As Mr. King appeared to be very busy with his picture
we left him soon and Madame returned home with John and I, the girls set off to go
and take a walk for the first time this winter.

On reaching the steps of our house, we met Ned Wyer who insisted upon it, Madame
should fulfil her promise of going to see his house and his mineral collection. As
this was a good opportunity and nothing to do we went over. He has hired a house of
one story in height opposite to our house and lives in glorious independence nobody
knows how. His rooms are neat and well kept. He showed us every thing, his shells
and minerals, some of which are certainly very handsome. He wants to sell them but
rates them so high he never will be able to part with them. To day he manifested the
love of giving away for which he is so noted—and made me think that in a little
while he would have no collection to sell. After an Examination of all things we
retired home, dined and on the return of Madame and ladies from Mrs. Thornton’s had
an oyster supper.

1. Charles Bird King (1785–1862), a native of Rhode Island, had
a studio and gallery on the east side of 12th Street between E and F streets, N.W.
Besides the portrait of JQA mentioned below in this entry, King later executed
portraits of CFA and Abigail Brooks, both of which are reproduced as illustrations
in this diary. He is best known, however, for the long and historically valuable
series of portraits of Indian chiefs that he painted in the 1820’s and 1830’s by
commission from the War Department. See Groce and Wallace,
Dict. Amer. Artists; John C. Ewers, “Charles Bird
King, Painter of Indian Visitors to the National Capital,” Smithsonian
Institution, Annual Report for 1953, Washington, 1954, p.
463–473.

2. Langdon Cheves (1776–1857), a former South Carolina
Congressman, was serving on an arbitration commission set up in 1822 to settle
claims of American citizens for slaves carried off by the British soldiers in the
War of 1812 (Lanman, Biographical
Annals, p. 625).

3. Cyrus King (1772–1817), the half-brother of Rufus King, was a
former Federalist Congressman (Biog.
Dir. Cong.).

4. This portrait was the second of two attempts by King to get a satisfactory
likeness of JQA in 1819. It had been commissioned by Joseph Delaplaine for his
National Portrait Gallery in Philadelphia and was sent there in 1821 or 1822. It
is now in the Redwood Library and Athenaeum, Newport, R.I. See JQA, Diary, June-Aug. 1819; correspondence between
Delaplaine and JA and between Delaplaine and JQA, Adams
Papers.

Sunday 18th.

This day, for the first time since I have been here I went to the Capitol to hear
Dr. Staugten who has acquired some reputation for preaching good sermons, which has
made him a Chaplain. He is President of the College near here and is the head of the
sect of the Baptists in this place.1 His delivery is
extemporaneous and at first strange and disagreable. Entirely contrary to the
notions we have usually formed of pulpit eloquence he is exceedingly theatrical and
varies the tone of his voice from high to low with great rapidity. This I have
observed is somewhat the fashion here among certain sects who judge less of
propriety than of policy, for by the one method they imagine that they can strike
the passions of the ignorant whereas by the other they would remain a sect without
numbers and with no probability of increase which is their great aim. I came home
rather disgusted I must confess. He has nothing of the power of [ . . . ]2 although he tries the same style and greatly exceeds
it.

As I had nothing to do in the afternoon, I set off on a stroll with dog Booth. I
wished again to see some spots very dear to me by the associations they call up and
by the time which has passed since I saw them. I did not go last winter. My course
was over the Tiber to the Potomac bridge, where I had been so often shooting, where
I had spent perhaps the most delightful of my days, where I had sometimes sat down
and thought and thought till I had wrapt myself in an elysium of delight. The
feelings are all over, but even now it is sweet to recollect it as a dream which
passed over but too soon, and never to be equalled again. The recollection is more
sweet, because it is more gentle and not exposed to the same high storms of
passion.

From the bridge I turned and came round by the old house of Ironside, whither I had
so often gone to recite in my young days. Poor man, he was then in affliction and
he
had my good wishes for his relief which he has always construed into exertions I
could make, none [of] which would avail him. But he was relieved. I
have not seen him this winter more than once and he was then in agony, his child { 50 } had died on that morning. I perceived his grief and was quiet.
Passing by the house now deserted and wild, I reached the little canal where I had
so often fished and had spent some of my most delightful [word
omitted]. It was here where the intimacies began, it was here where I could
create obligations only to return with more pleasure to myself. The bridge is now
broken down, and the planks are off and every thing to which I was attached appears
to be going to wreck, even to the great causes of my pleasure. But so be it. Now I
am but an indifferent spectator, without interest and without affection.

My walk was a long one and return late, so that I had but just time to dress for
dinner. Monsieur had invited one or two gentlemen to dine, Mr. Amory of Boston, Mr.
Connell of Philadelphia, Mr. Dodge, the Marseilles Consul,3 and Blunt. The dinner was a so so pleasant one, but Mr.
Amory did not appear in good spirits probably owing to his robbery which has made
great talk and concerning which he has been much questioned. He laughed and gave us
some account of it, in which it appears the thieves were amazingly polite. Connell
is a monstrous talker about nothing at all and after the first half hour that you
are acquainted with him will talk you almost to death half of which conversation you
cannot hear and the other half having so little subject you cannot understand. Dodge
is a simpering whimpering sort of an innocently conceited fop, somewhat elated on
account of his late marriage with Miss DWolfe, without much meaning in any thing
except a great idea of wealth.4 As to Blunt he is a
young man with considerable abilities but with twice the vanity and four times the
arrogance. Placed here as a political machine to look after matters as they respect
the election he claims an intimacy in our family which we have no objection to allow
him. Had he not become too conspicuous in the city of New York from his politics,
he
would have formed a lower opinion of himself and then would have been a very
agreable man.

After dinner, Mr. William Lee, Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan and Dr. Watkins with his
son5 dropped in at different times so that we
looked quite a party. I spent an hour upstairs, reading, and the rest of the evening
in the drawing room. Mr. Amory’s spirits were raised considerably latterly by the
news of the capture of the robbers brought in by Mr. Lee, and went away repeating
to
himself his joy. John and Young Watkins talked together almost all the evening. I
had some conversation with Sullivan and begin to think him as shallow as he is
reputed to be. Lee has grown larger than ever and puffs away with more importance
than ever. Thus did the evening pass away, rather { 51 } pleasantly than
otherwise. Mrs. Sullivan appears to be much delighted here as she will have an
opportunity, she knows, of being more noticed than at home. This has now gone over
even here and now she wishes an intimacy here to keep her up in the great world.

4. Possibly a daughter of the wealthy Senator James De Wolf, of Bristol, R.I.

5. Lee, the Second Auditor of the Treasury, was an old friend of JQA from their days
in the foreign service. Tobias Watkins was a literary physician, formerly
secretary to the Florida Claims Commission, who was now writing articles for Peter
Force’s National Journal booming JQA for the Presidency.
His son was Thomas L. C. Watkins (Bemis, JQA, 2:24, and note; 2:23).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0019

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-19

Monday 19th.

After going over my maps rather hastily to day, I got into the Carriage with
Madame, Abby and John to go to the Capitol in order to hear Mr. Webster in support
of his Greek resolution the expectations for which are raised to the highest
pitch.1 Mrs. Sullivan called amazingly early as
usual for Mary. We ourselves were very early indeed, to obtain seats. A young man
stands but little chance for ladies have the right of turning him out. I was lucky
this time however, for by getting between two ladies, I was not encroached upon. The
Crowninshields were there before us and Madame and John sat with them. America Peter
came also, and John was routed to a place behind a pillar, to give her his seat. But
he told me that in the most important point he was well enough, he could hear, and
as for the rest he was compensated by the pleasure of teazing the younger
Crowninshield, making her confess that she was very tired although it was Mr.
Webster.

His speech was a good one, it could not have been bad, but in a consideration of
the subject it appears to me that it could not have been any thing but a failure.
He
made the most of his subject and employed a digression or two to assist him but all
would not do. He commenced by saying that he was sorry that he should be unable to
reach the height formed for him by public opinion, then entered into a discussion
of
the principles of the holy Alliance, from the time in which it was first formed. He
argued that to stop their plans we ought to support this nation, but at the same
time disclaimed all idea of positive interference. He said that this measure { 52 } was an innocent one, it would be of no injury to us and might be of
considerable service to them, as an expression of approbation, and of sympathy in
their sufferings.

The President was enabled by this resolution to decide at what time it should be
carried into effect so that he might delay it if he thought fit, but he for his own
part would strongly recommend that it should be done immediately. He then entered
into an account of the massacres and barbarities committed by the Turks and
mentioned the circumstance of the copper utensils of the Greeks in the island of
Scio lying about on the wharves of Boston with great effect and finished off with
a
vehement and eloquent appeal to the feelings of the audience in favour of a people
persecuted by the Turks and by the world, who had been looking this way for a ray
of
cheering comfort and supplicating us only to hold out our hand to grasp theirs and
assure them that we felt for them and approved their cause.

He finished and the House adjourned soon after. On the whole I consider his speech
as good a one as could be delivered on his subject. The arguments of policy are all
against him in fact and consequently he musters up the holy alliance as a show to
frighten us. But when with this very holy alliance we have taken the ground that
they must not come here to meddle with the concerns of this continent it is somewhat
singular that we should in the next minute go directly into their mouths and talk
to
them about the propriety of our assisting Greece.2
Had some conversation with John and Monsieur on the subject, who does not appear to
think Mr. Webster prudent in more than one respect.3

We spent the evening very quietly at home, the young ladies do not say much about
the speech, I imagine they agreed with Miss Crowninshield. John applied for tea and
we retired.

2. CFA is referring to the Monroe Doctrine, promulgated on 2 December 1823 by the
President as part of his Annual Message. Shaped in large part by JQA, the Monroe
Doctrine warned Europe against any new colonization in the Americas and reaffirmed
United States policy “not to interfere in the internal concerns of any of ...
[Europe’s] powers.” For a full discussion of the several parts of the Monroe
Doctrine, see Bemis, JQA,
1:382–393.

3. JQA opposed Webster’s resolution because it meddled with the duties of the
Executive department and used public opinion to embarrass the administration (JQA, Diary, 17 Jan. 1824).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0020

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-20

Tuesday 20th.

After the usual morning exercise I went to the Capitol and found { 53 } Mr. Poinsett speaking against Mr. Webster’s resolution. His voice is weak and it
appears to be exertion for him to speak, his action is so monotonous also that he
soon lost all the interest of the hearers. I came so late that it was not possible
to obtain the course of his argument consequently I did not attend to him.1 When he sat down Mr. Randolph rose, a thing altogether
unexpected although very much wished. He has abstained from speaking for two years
and has again awakened curiosity very much. He rose he said altogether unprepared
but he could not help raising his voice against a step, which he believed to be
ruinous to this country in every respect. He adverted to a resolution offered by Mr.
Clay this morning pledging the House to support the President in any steps which he
should think proper to take in order to secure the independence of the South
American States,2 in terms of great severity towards
the mover, as being as dangerous to the peace of this country as any steps across
the Atlantic. We should not look out of our own home and not waste our strength in
affairs with foreign nations. The exertion however appeared to exhaust him
considerably and after stating that the mental power could not go on with its usual
activity when any physical exertion was necessary, so that he found himself obliged
to sit down.3 In the course of his speech he
exhibited a good deal of testiness and irritation. But on the whole it was one of
the most striking, simple and affecting addresses that I have ever heard. The idea
of fallen greatness brought pity into action and when he said, “Sir I feel I am not
what I was,” it was only exhibiting some thing still of his former powers.4

Mr. Clay rose and answered Mr. Randolph so far as it concerned him as being mover
of the resolution to which that gentleman had alluded, why he could not tell, for
he
imagined that subject to have nothing whatever to do with the one before the House.
He assured the gentleman that the resolution should be called up at a fitting time,
and when it was he would be glad to hear whatever the honourable gentleman might
urge against it but until then he saw no reason why it should be disturbed. Being
up
he made some observations in defence of the resolution,5 saying that it was nonsense to talk about consequences,
that it was an innocent resolution, and it was comforting the Greeks. He was no
advocate for a cold and pence calculating policy but it was his belief that
government was conducted best in which the feelings of generosity were consulted.
A
strong contrast to this same gentleman’s speech on Mrs. Perry’s bill, which I gave
some description of. It was a hasty speech but a very fine one. { 54 } He
is a remarkable speaker, and in this sort of desultory debate shows himself to very
great advantage.

Mr. Cuthbert of Georgia rose and observed that he wished for delay to make up his
mind. The Speaker had assured us that there was no danger but he was confident that
he with his gallant and enterprising spirit would not desire to defend so warmly a
proposition which in this case would be of so little importance. He thought that if
this could be certainly proved there was no use of debate. But it had not been
proved so he moved to adjourn.6 Mr. Foote of
Connecticut moved that the subject be referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
as he thought that it was a proper subject for their consideration to let them
report on. Both motions were decided in the negative.7 Col. Dwight then made a speech in defence of the resolution. This man is one of
the most conceited, foolish fops that I have ever met with. He had prepared this
long ago for I heard his argument on Christmas day in the discussion at the dinner,
only with much more effect than here afterwards. He is what I may call a pretty
speaker and learnt it when he was at school, he makes neat gestures and varies his
voice very prettily but with no more effect than a child. “Fifty churches and a
hundred villages reared their heads in this lovely spot consecrated to the
Muses”—such was his style throughout with so much force that it made me laugh. He
finished, put on his coat, and went off as if he had done something which had
weighed upon his mind considerably. The House satisfied by this time no longer
refused their assent to the motion to adjourn.8 I
then returned home having been very much amused all day.

In the Evening Madame had one of her parties. I danced but little as it was at
home. As John was anxious to have me make up a set I danced with Cornelia
Cottringer, and as usual could not help having a pleasant half hour with her. I saw
more of Anne too than I have done since I have been here, danced with her, she
looked pale and unwell but was in better spirits than usual and talked more. She is
very satirical and inclined to laugh at every body. I also danced with Miss
Crowninshield who diverted me much by her expressions of admiration and astonishment
at a man next to her by the name of Webster. Which made me laugh so that he was
going to take it for an insult. This was the pleasantest party I attended in the
whole course of the winter.

1. Congressman Joel Roberts Poinsett (1788–1851), of South
Carolina, opposed Webster’s proposal to send an American agent to Greece, because
if he were mistreated by the Turks war could result. Instead he favored a
resolution { 55 } expressing “deep interest” and “sympathy” for the
Greek cause (Annals of
Congress, 18 Cong., 1 sess., p. 1104–1111).

2. Clay’s resolution read: “That the people of these States would not see, without
serious inquietude, any forcible interposition by the Allied Powers of Europe in
behalf of Spain, to reduce to their former subjection those parts of the continent
of America which have proclaimed and established for themselves, respectively,
independent Governments, and which have been solemnly recognized by the United
States” (same, p. 1004, 1114–1115).

6. Congressman Albert Cuthbert (1785–1856), of Georgia, spoke
twice during the debate, but his motion to delay action lost by a vote of 84–89
(Annals of Congress, 18
Cong., 1 sess., p. 1115–1116).

7. Samuel Augustus Foote (1780–1846) appears not to have made a
motion but merely expressed a wish that the resolutions should be referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations (same, p. 1115).

8. For Dwight’s speech see same, p. 1116–1126. CFA invented the quotation he
attributed to Dwight.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0021

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-21

Wednesday 21st.

After the usual morning exercises I went to the Capitol with John who felt
considerably disappointed when he heard that Randolph had come out and he had
refused to go. But he was as much disappointed to day for Mr. Baylies of
Massachusetts was making a speech, a most dull one surely. He ranted, declaimed and
raved about Turkish cruelty, was for having a crusade for recovering the holy land,
and was for doing every thing in a hurry. He then for the amusement of the audience
took out of his pocket an account of the cruelties at Scio and read out about ten
pages of what had been printed by the Committee at Boston for the purpose of being
generally read. It appears he did not think that it’s circulation had been
sufficient.1 The House were satisfied again to day
and adjourned without opposition.

We had come very late and had not heard the best part of the discussion. Mr. Wood
of New York spoke against the resolution with a great deal of very close reasoning
and had a material influence on the opinion of the House. I regretted my absence
much, for I have since read it and like it quite as well as common report had
prepared me to. Mr. Cook of Illinois made some observations in the beginning which
were nothing but “a most lame and impotent conclusion.” I was sorry for it for I
wish the man well. He spoke in favour of the resolution, and borrowed my father’s
oration to make an extract in his favour; my father sent it and at the same time
marked a passage directly contrary to the opinion he was desiring to sustain.2 He has, I have heard since, been sorry for this
speech, but I do not believe it will affect him.

After dinner we dressed ourselves and went to the Drawing Room at the President’s.
The first Evening given this winter, as Mrs. Monroe has been very sick all the time.
She is better now and appeared for a little while this evening retiring at nine
o’clock. Mrs. Hay then took her place. I was much struck with an observation of
John’s at Mrs. Calhoun’s when this lady was passing us in her usual way lolling on
the gentlemen and speaking loud. Says he, “Would you wish a better representative
of
Billingsgate?” It is true enough for her coarseness warrants it.

The evening was a dull one and made me feel solitary in the middle of a crowd. None
of my acquaintance there except Miss Mary Roberdeau who came out once in January.
There was a Miss Irving too who is very pretty and from Ohio. Returned early. John
did not go. Had a comfortable cup of tea and retired.

2. According to the Annals of
Congress, Cook made his speech on 22 January, not on 21 January as
CFA reported it. Since the report of his remarks contains only a mention that he
quoted “an oration” by JQA, it is impossible to determine which of JQA’s speeches
he used (same, p. 1145–1150).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0022

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-04

[Titlepage]

Journal of a Vacation spent in Washington in the Winter of my Junior
Year, from December 22d. 18241 to February 20th.
1824.

2. Titlepage for D/CFA/3, continuing D/CFA/2 without a break. For a full description
of the Diaries see the Introduction. The brief “Index” entries in D/CFA/1 that
overlap those in this “Journal of a Vacation” have not been included in the
present text, though they have been used in verifying names and events.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0023

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-22

Journal. January. 1824. Thursday 22d.

After the usual exercises in the morning I went to the House of Representatives to
hear the continuation of the discussion of this question. Mr. Bartlett of New
Hampshire was speaking, and as he had no reputation I must freely confess that at
first I paid but little attention. He soon attracted my notice, by his clear
argument and by his wit.1 Indeed I have not heard
such a speech in the House, yet. He argued it on two grounds—either it was dangerous
to the United States or it was not. If it was, no person would be willing to vote
for the measure—if it was not, it was hardly worthwhile to honour the Greeks with
“words, mere words.” His ridicule was apt and piercing—particularly in his allusion
to the conduct of the mover of this, in the late war.2 He said he could boast of no “new lights” on this subject. That he had been ready
to defend his country at all times but he could not go upon this Quixotic
expedition. He concluded with saying that if we wished really to patronize schemes,
we had better turn to our countryman John Cleves Symmes3 or to the inventor of the “flying machine” and wing our way
to glory and immortality. The House appeared very much struck with the speech and
collected around him although a new member, very eagerly. I was so pleased that I
hastened over to the other side to hear him more distinctly, but he soon
finished.

I have read the speech frequently since and seldom recollect a finer hit. A few
remarks made upon our system of wordy valour to support his argument that the
resolution taken merely as an expression of kindness was unnecessary, were
admirable. “We were already too much celebrated for our wordy valour,” he said.
“When we wish to take a town or capture a province we send a proclamation, when we
defend our own borders, we send a proclamation, when the enemy attacks our capitol
we run for our lives, but we send a proclamation.” This was the more amusing as one
of our most famous generals in that line, Alexander Smyth,4 has a seat in the House, from Virginia. Mr. Rankin5 arose after he finished and made some remarks which
as they did not appear over and above entertaining, I spent the time in conversing
with Weed, a young marine officer, and a remarkably agreable young man.6 I have seen something of him of late and have been very
much pleased with him. Mr. Farrelly from Pennsylvania then made some observations
in
so voluble a manner that I did not pretend to keep up with him.7

The debate had now got into such hands, that John and Weed left the House to go and
pay Mrs. Livingston8 a visit while I remained to
hear General Houston of Tennessee9 make his maiden
speech. It was in the Western style, full of rant, fustian and declamation. I had
not formed a favourable opinion of the man as I understood that he despised books
and thought himself above them. So one would judge from the specimen of his grammar
and language given today. But as he is a great Western man and the leader of the
delegation, I suppose it is fit that nothing should be said. I admired his gestures
and white top boots, laughed at his flowers, wondered at his power of varying his
accents from regular dictionaries and retired at the close wonderfully edified. The
House also adjourned immediately.

Returning home, I was just in time to dress and be ready for dinner. Madame not
being well did not come in nor did the young ladies. The party consisted of Mr.
Findlay of Pennsylvania, the only Senator, Messrs. Allison of Pennsylvania, Brent
of
the department of State, Cobb of Georgia, Crafts of Vermont, Gatlin of North
Carolina, Locke of Massachusetts, Neale of Maryland, O’Brien of Maine, Ten Eyck of
New York, Whitman of Connecticut and Wickliffe of Kentucky, Members, besides Mr.
Richards, delegate from Michigan, and Mr. Gallatin who is at present here.10 A member had declined consequently Father asked
Messrs. Brent and Gallatin extraordinary. Had it not been for the latter gentleman,
the dinner would have passed off in the most stupid manner to be imagined, and as
it
was, { 59 } a stranger would have supposed that if these were fair
samples of our House of Representatives, we had not much to boast.

Among those who declined was Mr. Bartlett, with whom they in general expressed
themselves very much pleased, Mr. Cobb particularly was quite enthusiastic. He is
a
very rough but rather an original and pleasant man. Mr. Neale was the only gentleman among the members. Findlay was disgusting beyond all
example, but being nothing but a Pennsylvania tavern keeper, it is not astonishing.
The matter of surprize is that any candidate for office at all should not have the
liberty of selecting his own society and not depend upon the broad vulgarities of
the coarsest man. I am not much of a democrat, but I do say that education forms a
limit which it is impossible for the most zealous republican to oppose or attempt
to
break down. Mr. Gatlin who was my neighbour appeared no better than he should be,
and the man who was next to him, God knows who, had never seen a grape before, and
consequently made suitable enquiries and exclamations. Mr. Richards is a very
gentlemanly man in appearance but cannot talk English fluently. I hope he did not
understand it sufficiently to feel the repeated allusions of the worthy
Pennsylvanian Senator, to Spanish priests, as he happens to be a priest himself.

These men disgusted us all, even my father was out of patience. Mr. Gallatin’s wit
was thrown away upon hogs and I should scarcely have blamed him had he taken his
invitation to meet such company as an insult to his character. For my part, I felt
ashamed the whole evening and was very happy when I heard the hint to rise given by
my father. They soon went away, some of them not knowing the custom of coffee took
French leave. John and I immediately stepped into the Carriage and drove off to Miss
Brent’s, a party being given to the bride, this evening.

The rooms are quite small, but the dancing as far as it went, was lively. I danced
with Miss Selden and Cornelia Cottringer. The former appeared in high spirits, and
talked and laughed very fast. I danced the Spanish dance with Anne Cottringer, this
being my first appearance in it, as I had quite a prejudice to it, but it was too
tempting to refuse being so near her, and the voluptuous manner in which she waltzes
amply paid me for the trial. America Peter fails very much in this, but I should
wish no partners here except Anne and Miss Selden perhaps Fanny Monroe11 although I have a mortal aversion to her appearance and
therefore never would suffer an introduction to her. Weed was very amusing this
evening.

A cold supper was laid downstairs in the solid fashion of the { 60 } ancients. To which I observed Mrs. Miller making very great devotion. She insisted
on having some ham from the Virginia side. Miss Selden being from that state is her
particular protegé, and so it is throughout. John and this young lady made a very
ridiculous figure walking together the last part of this evening and gave rise to
some observations one or two of which I heard. For myself, we being but two, I
offered a seat to one of the Cottringers but got politely cut by the “matron” of the
party. She thought she smelt a rat I presume but I was innocent as a lamb—at any
rate we transported Mr. and Miss Selden and after dropping them we arrived safe at
home.

1. CFA’s report of the speech by “Anti-Democratic” Congressman Ichabod Bartlett (1786–1853) is generally good, though he recorded the
Representative’s actual words with only approximate accuracy and changed the order
in which his arguments were made (Annals
of Congress, 18 Cong., 1 sess., p. 1150–1155).

2. Bartlett’s allusion to Webster’s alleged opposition to the War of 1812 was
omitted in the printed version of his speech.

3. John Cleves Symmes advocated the theory “that the earth is a hollow sphere, open
at the Poles” (JQA, Memoirs,
7:168).

4. Alexander Smyth (1765–1830), who represented Virginia in
Congress from 1817 to 1825, had been inspector general of the army in 1812–1813.
After boastfully claiming he could conquer Canada, he was forced to abandon the
projected invasion because the army was so poorly trained and so ill-equipped, and
he was much ridiculed for his bombast (DAB).

11. A niece of the President (Anne Hollingsworth Wharton, Social
Life in the Early Republic, Phila., 1902, p. 215, note).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0024

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-23

Friday. 23d.

This morning I performed my duties very soon and hastened to the House to hear the
discussion continued. Mr. Cuthbert delivered a most violent speech against the
resolution. He has a very bad voice but I thought pretty well of his argument except
in his attributing { 61 } so much hostility to this country from England,
which he exaggerated greatly in this case, as it is evident that it will be matter
of necessity for England to join us in opposition to the holy alliance instead of
sacrificing itself to it only from malice to us. It was preposterous ground.1 His manner is in the Southern style much contortion
and a high pitch of a bad voice. I will not deny however that I was considerably
interested by the heat of the man himself and his great desire to be felt in what
he
himself expressed.

Mr. Clay then rose to make some observations in support of the resolution. He
argued that we should consult the general good feelings of the House and not the
cold dictates of interest, that we could easily afford to sacrifice a beggarly
invoice of figs and opium for the extension of the cause of liberty. This much in
the strain with his argument on Mrs. Perry’s bill. He then said that no consequences
would arise from our resolution which had been so much feared by gentlemen for he
questioned very much whether the Grand Signior or the Emperor of Russia had ever
heard or ever would hear of such a man as the mover of the resolution although he
was a very distinguished man, much less would they notice this resolution. Here he
agrees for this is to do the Greeks a great deal of good and the Turks are to be
blind to the cause. He then went on in a more threatening tone, saying that some
objections had been made to this on account of the source from which it came. He
deprecated this as extremely ungenerous and cautioned them against pursuing such
illiberal conduct, for if to assist the cause of suffering humanity was to be a
Federalist then was he a Federalist.2 He then
ascended still, finishing with a sweeping challenge of the whole House, daring them
to go back to their constituents and to show a vote on this question against the
resolution. He alluded to Mr. Bartlett in a very haughty manner expressing himself
pleased with the speech of the “young member” and hoping next
time to see more of an argumentative spree, that being a branch in which Mr. Clay
himself is remarkable.

This was most unquestionably the most arrogant speech I ever heard delivered in the
House, and at the same time one which he supposed would have the greatest effect
there. Accustomed as he has been to rule the roost there, he supposed that nothing
was wanting to effect a change but his voice. It was used too loud for [once?] and struck harshly upon every member of the House. He
made Webster a federalist in his speech to show that he was a liberal minded man and
well inclined to that party and he stormed at what he supposed the weak headed path
in order that he should use his wonted influ• { 62 } ence. Mr. Cuthbert
rose to repel the charge from himself and to find the speaker guilty of three
inconsistencies at the same time demanding an explanation of him as to what he meant
in a part of his remarks which appeared to be particularly intended for him. I shall
not soon forget the attitude in which he demanded it and the tremendous ferocity
with which he collected himself as he perceived none about to be given. Clay saw
this and merely stated that he meant nothing personal to the gentleman although he
should take back nothing of what had been said—a very lame conclusion. But he
afterwards entered more largely into the subject,3
just as he was doing which I was forced to leave him, it being now considerably
after the time which I had set to be at my Aunt Frye’s to dinner today. John
remained. I ran home, and from thence to Mrs. Frye’s, my feelings having been
excited to a most uncommon degree in the course of the debate. Mr. Randolph after
several ineffectual attempts succeeded in obtaining the floor tomorrow.

We were all assembled except Monsieur and Madame who promised to come in the
evening. They were all before me, even John who had come directly from the Capitol
in a hack. Dinner was not ready and consequently I made nobody wait. He4 appears in very good spirits and she looks as well or
better than I ever saw her. A remarkably affectionate woman I should think. Uncle
and Aunt Smith were there also, the former with all his usual sententious
generalities, the latter with loquacity sufficient to make up all deficiencies. She
is a very amusing woman but one of your dangerous persons who are apt to talk of
what they know not and in this way make mischief. Poor soul, she has been
unfortunate and her story is a pitiful one,5 but she
is still a delightful person for a companion and sport of an hour.

Dinner being over Monsieur and Madame soon came in, although she was very unwell
indeed. I felt very anxious for the step which she had taken this evening as she
really evidently suffered. Aunt Frye provided us with an ample oyster supper
according to promise which was very much enjoyed by the real oyster eaters, that is
Aunt Smith, Mary and myself. Poor Abby cannot see the pleasure which we take in
this, and looks like a fish out of water. In fact that is almost always the case
with her now as Johnson has fully characterized her by her “fire-side manners” a
strong contrast with Mary’s—the former is the most affectionate disposition by far.
It was a remarkable circumstance that Mr. S[mith] retired soon
after dinner, on plea of sickness. After being well stuffed, I gave my seat to Aunt
Smith and walked home with Monsieur and John.

1. Cuthbert claimed that Great Britain was too wise to enter a Greek or Spanish war
but would wait for the United States to weaken herself by such distant contests
and would then “seize upon the crisis to attack” her (Annals of Congress, 18 Cong., 1 sess., p.
1165–1170).

2. Clay’s actual words were: “If all Republicans must oppose this doctrine [of
supporting Greek independence] and all Federalists advocate it, I for one, should
cease to be a Republican, and would become a Federalist” (same, p. 1171).

3. The outcome of the short verbal altercation was that Clay stated he favored
Webster’s original resolution but would not object to the incorporation of
Poinsett’s proposal as an amendment (same, p. 1177–1178). For Poinsett’s proposal,
see entry for 20 Jan., above.

5. Probably the reference is to Mrs. Frye, who had lost twin boys in 1818 in a
premature birth and a baby girl the following year. Her surviving son, Thomas Baker Johnson Frye (1820–1889), became a physician (JQA, Diary, 20 Feb., 10 Mar. 1818, 1, 2 Aug. 1819; General Alumni Catalogue of George Washington University,
Washington, 1917). See Adams Genealogy.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0025

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-24

Saturday. 24th.

My usual numbers of maps being finished this morning as well as Bacon who has been
found and resumed. Madame was also much better this morning although her health does
not appear so good as it has been. I then went to the House expecting much
entertainment today. Mr. Randolph had commenced, and I never knew the House so much
crowded in my life. Ladies were admitted in the floor of the hall and it was
impossible to get in at the side doors of the gallery. After a long trial I
succeeded in obtaining a moderately good place and heard the latter part of his
remarks. There is so little connection in his arguments that it is impossible to
condense them or make a summary. He has still the power of ridicule and exerted it
today with a good deal of force. He is too apt to talk of his past services and what
he was

“Fallen, fallen, fallen, fallen

Fallen from his high estate”

which excites pity and finally ridicule in the minds of his hearers for he
is not old enough to carry proof of what he says with him, and therefore raises the
idea of that mental malady with which he is already known to have been attacked. But
we look at him as a crumbled pillar, mourning over the loss of it’s own beauty and
jealous of the more modern and perhaps less pure ones. He again attacked the South
American resolution1 and made some pretty pointed
remarks at Mr. Webster. Perhaps said he, some learned Theban is waiting without the
walls for the appointment to the agency, clearly referring to Professor Everett who
is here, it is supposed, for the purpose of obtaining this mission in case it is
determined upon.

He continued speaking for about an hour and a half with his usual power and fluency
occasionally reverting to former times. His age has come upon him early and he will
soon do nothing but “fight all his battles o’er again.” Mr. Webster followed him and
answered all the gentlemen who had spoken on the other side. He retorted playfully
and severely upon Bartlett, sharply upon Wood and noticed occasionally all the
rest.

I think myself that it was a better speech than the former. He ridicules the idea
of danger, supposes it an unmeaning resolution or nearly so, and says that it does
not force the President to any measure which he would not approve. He laughs at the
declamation about war, assures them that there is no danger, but with all this it
appeared to me that he felt as if he had got into a scrape which he might as well
be
out of.

Webster made a severe allusion to Bartlett by quoting Don Quixote in his tilt with
the Wind mill—and some remarks upon Mr. Wood and his late examination of
Grotius.2 Mr. Fuller then took the other side and
quoted out of the same romance, by making an analogy between the boy who was whipped
by his master, and relieved by the knight, while present but as soon as gone whipped
doubly—and the state of Greece and Turkey with respect to this country. He argued
also that the President had not yet even recommended a step of this kind, and it was
not worthwhile to do any thing until he did. It was evident that he supposed it not
worthwhile or dangerous. In fact the argument on this side is so conclusive in every
point of view that even the supporters of the cause do not pretend to argue but to
feel. Not exactly a correct guide in government.

But now we had the pleasure of a little warmer work. Mr. Bartlett made some remarks
in answer to Clay’s observations yesterday with most tremendous force. Mr. Webster’s
attack he turned off admirably by referring to the pride he felt in having to boast
him a fellow townsman, and that although he had been <unhappily> the cause
of some bitter remarks, yet he could scarcely deem it unfortunate or disagreable to
himself as it had afforded the opportunity of displaying such bright corruscations
of his3 wit as to seize even his admiration. For Mr.
Clay, he prepared another dose, informed him that his advise was altogether
gratuitous and unasked for, that he was of an age to select his own instructors in
political integrity, however young he might be, whenever he felt that he had
occasion for any. He repelled the charge of opposing Mr. Webster because he was a
Federalist, saying that it was just as unfounded as if he was in his turn { 65 } to charge the Speaker with making speeches to collect golden
opinions, outside of the walls of that House. As to the Speaker’s charge, if it was
meant for him, he threw it back upon him as “unjust, ungenerous, untrue.” He then
adverted to the Speaker’s threat, assuring him that he dare go back to his
constituents as boldly as any gentleman in that House, let his vote be what it
would. That he would make as poor a slave to the Grand [Seignior]
as any man, and then made some severe remarks upon Clay in reference to his conduct
in wishing to obtain a certain high situation. The remarks were cutting to the
extreme and all proper except insofar as they did not [dash?] too much when he struck upon the last thing. Had he not forced it
a little higher than proper, his strictures otherwise were most admirably just and
well applied.

They stung Clay to the quick, and he answered in the most furiously passionate
manner. In his former remarks he said he had treated the young member with more moderation than at the time he deserved. Nay he had
even praised him, and lavished compliments for which he had been thus repaid. He had
never heard of the gentleman before; he doubted whether the House had; he was
altogether a new Member he believed to every one. He then replied with great
violence to the charge of catching golden opinions for a certain office.4 He said it was ungenerous to advert to it; he was placed
where he could not help himself and it was improper for any one to take advantage
of
it. Here he was twice stopped by the chair, which decided him out of order as he was
answering what had not been said, on the contrary that he5 had expressly disavowed such an attack. This capped the
climax and made him rave like a mad bull. “Yes Sir,” said he, “I know he has
disavowed it,” stamping his foot, “but how has he done it, if a person should tell
me black is white am I to believe it though he should swear, contrary to the
evidence of my own senses.”6 He closed by saying
that he had some private words for the gentleman, as he could not condescend to
trouble the House with the terms which he felt himself obliged to use towards him,
and that as far as referred to the accusations upon him personally he cast them back
on the shoulders of him whence they came with indignation and contempt. The House
finding it burning too hot then adjourned.

I came home with my feelings very much excited. I must confess, I thought Clay by
his violence had exposed himself and that Bartlett had nobly shown himself perfectly
independent of all the personal influence and weight which Clay possesses. The
latter inflicted a { 66 } severe blow upon himself and gave the former an
opportunity to rise. We were employed all the afternoon and evening talking about
it, and conjecturing the probability of a challenge as Blunt, who spent the evening
here, said that some difficulty was likely to arise, and that the quarrel was
evidently embracing sectional prejudices and that the East supported Bartlett
against the West and Clay. This [is] a queer young man and a little
of a bore here, but being a New York intriguer he is here a good deal. We all
separated quite early, my feelings having been strongly worked upon today.7

2. “No one pretends,” Webster said, “that there is any just cause of war contained
in it [his resolution]. Even the gentleman from New York [George Wood], who has
read Grotius so recently, has not shown any cause for war” (Annals of Congress, 18 Cong., 1 sess., p.
1195).

4. Bartlett had said that it might be insinuated—however “unjustly”—that Clay had “a
great personal and political object in view ... to ‘buy golden opinions from all
sorts of men’" (Annals of
Congress, 18 Cong., 1 sess., p. 1200–1201).

6. Clay’s actual words were: “If a man says a thing is black, and then tells me he
meant by that to say that it was white, I know how to understand him” (Annals of Congress, 18 Cong., 1
sess., p. 1202).

7. The Adams boys then attended a party at the home of the Washington postmaster,
Thomas J. Munroe (JQA, Diary, 24 Jan. 1824).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0026

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-25

Sunday 25th.

It was very rainy indeed this morning, but as my father was going to the Capitol,
I
thought that it would be better for me to accompany him. We went in the Carriage and
found Dr. Staughton performing the services. There was hardly any body present. This
did not appear to be the most pleasing circumstance of all, and he made his sermon
or rather homily what he called short, that is to say about ten minutes, the proper
length in my mind, to have an effect. He told us that on account of the inclemency
of the weather the service must be short, indeed he appeared in a great hurry to get
out of the pulpit. Mr. Fuller appeared to think when I met him coming out, it was
scarcely worth the trouble of coming up. It certainly was not worth the trouble of
walking home in the heavy rain which was my lot as the Coachman had taken French
leave as soon as we got out.1 Monsieur went
visiting, he had an Umbrella, but I had to make the best of my Cloak and Cap which
served me well, indeed I did not get wet except in my feet which were exposed, the
water washing through my boots very soon.

This was a writing day at home. John, Mary, Madame and others employed. So that I
was somewhat ennuyé, not being able to talk { 67 } so much politics on
account of Johnson’s absence. This was remedied in the afternoon by his appearance.
Finding Rockville a very poor place for bad weather, he thought he would again come
up to try the air of the city and the conversation of friends to the cause of his
favourite candidate. I was very glad to see him, as I know he enjoys himself more
here and he is a very pleasant young man.

After some conversation concerning politics and a laugh at the fears about New
York,2 we went up to dress for dinner. Monsieur
had invited two or three. Blunt was invited to fill up the table. Professor Everett,
and Dr. Sewall. They came early and we had to sit considerable time before dinner.
Johnson got talking with Dr. Sewall3 about sickness
and varioloid and every thing medical which must have been amusing to his nerves who
can hardly hear the mention of blood. This man is a very unpleasant looking man as
he has all the dark appearance of a rogue. Dwight of my class4 would say immediately that he was a most tremendous
villain.

Blunt had his invariable self conceit and impudence and Everett looked every way
except the right way, talked as if he was hammering steel, and excited the great
displeasure of the ladies. But the circumstance which amused me most was that after
dinner Monsieur got upon his favourite theory concerning comets and argued with a
man of undoubtedly a great deal of learning without coming to much of a point. But
Blunt undertook to talk upon the subject and informed us of the sundry great things
he had done in his youth in the astronomical way. Monsieur treated him very much
like an infant and manifested to him, if such a thing was possible, that he knew
precious little about the matter upon which he was so fluent.

There was some discussion as to the character of the French Mathematicians,
Monsieur attacking them as not being original geniuses, which the Professor did not
seem to relish. This diverted me as the Cambridge course is entirely French. In fact
I have often been led to question the propriety of using them so exclusively.
Everett appears to be considerably down—as he finds no success in this measure of
Webster’s, he packs up to go back to Cambridge and resume his lectures. He did not
say much against the opposers of the resolution but his friend the Dr. supplied his
place and poured his philipic pretty severely on the heads of the foolish men.
Everett has an unpleasant way about him, arising from too deep seclusion and
attention to himself. They retired early and Blunt went off not in the least
troubled.

2. The latest report from New York was that the legislature might give Craw• { 68 } ford the state’s entire electoral vote. To forestall such massive
support, the other presidential candidates were beginning to think of uniting
forces to check Crawford. Their initial objective was to prevent a congressional
caucus, proposed for April, from nominating the Georgian.

3. Dr. Thomas Sewall, Harvard Medical School 1821, was professor of anatomy and
physiology at the Columbian College from 1821 to 1845 (Harvard Quinquennial Cat.).

Monday. 26th.

Continued my studies in Geography and read Lord Bacon, also one or two numbers in
the North American Review, which in my opinion is not exactly equal to it’s
predecessor. Having nothing to do, I walked with Johnson to the Capitol, but we were
not very well rewarded for our pains, Mr. Alexander Smyth being up, making remarks
and observations without end. We saw his papers before him and were always expecting
the present one to be the last but he always had one more so that we were entirely
disappointed for the day. Finding this to be the case, I went into the Senate. Mr.
Barton speaking very coolly on a case of land claims.1 This was the first time I had been here for three years, as last Winter although
often at the House, there never had been even curiosity enough to draw me here.

The speech here was as uninteresting as the other so that I soon returned to the
House. As Johnson was patiently sitting here, I joined him and we made observations
on the Members generally. Alexander Smyth is only famous for his proclamations, and
foolish conduct in the last war and for having excited the wrath of my father who
gave him a most complete overthrow.2 This is no
boasting as it has been allowed on all sides. He finished logicizing and Mr. Rich then rose, and moved that the committee rise without asking leave to sit again—which was carried without
counting the division, Webster voting for it. So this bill is laid asleep after
having made some disturbance and ill blood. We returned home very much amused on the
whole and spent the rest of the day in conversation.

1. David Barton (1783–1837), Senator from Missouri, spoke in
favor of a bill to adjust land claims in Missouri and the Territory of Arkansas
(Annals of Congress, 18
Cong., 1 sess., p. 142).

2. For Smyth’s conduct in the War of 1812, see entry for 22
Jan., and note, above. Smyth and JQA had
been carrying on a running battle for months. In January 1823 the Congressman
charged JQA with falsifying the Journal of the Federal
Convention, published in 1819 on congressional order by the State Department, but
he was obliged to drop his accusation of what JQA called a “conspiracy of the
colons and capital letters” when the Secretary proved that no errors were intended
when some unusual punctuation appeared in the official printing of the document.
In January 1824 Smyth made the preposterous charge that JQA favored the African
slave trade. See JQA, Memoirs, 6:120–122, 124–127; 7:242, 308, 431; and JQA’s Letter [of 22 Dec. 1822], in Reply to a
Letter of the Hon. Alexander { 69 } Smyth, to His Constituents .
. . [Washington?], 1823, first published in the Richmond Enquirer, 4 Jan. 1823, then in the pamphlet cited here, and reprinted in
JQA, Writings,
7:335–354.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0028

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-27

Tuesday. 27th.

This morning after having gone through the customary portion, I went to the House
of Representatives not with the expectation however, of meeting with any thing
remarkable. Mr. McLane was delivering his reasons for the passage of the old affair
concerning the roads and canals which I believed had been settled long ago.1 He is a sound man, and has some influence or had when
the Congress was less brilliant. Not pleasant in his manner, a person will find
matter but nothing to amuse in the process of acquiring it. He was not “metal so
attractive” though as to keep me long here. Monsieur was at the House today, which
is a very uncommon thing. There being a meeting of the sinking fund2 he always devotes a portion of his hours at the House which
can be spent in no other way.

We came home and after dinner dressed ourselves for the ball, at Mr.
Livingston’s.3 Madame being unwell did not go, the
rest departed together. The ball was given to the bride who was there with Cornelia,
Anne sick at home. Cornelia was the only girl I knew in the room and consequently
my
evening was not perfectly pleasant. I was much diverted with some sly remarks of
Mrs. Brent concerning John, whom she appeared to consider a gone case; she also
informed me that as she knew the symptoms, she certainly must be the best judge.
This I allowed her. She is a very pleasant and ladylike woman, in my mind far
superior to the common run here, but there is a little repelling stiffness which is
disagreable. She deports herself very matronly.

Mr. Livingston’s good supper and Champagne Wine compensated fully for all my want
of dancing, and after the ladies retired we formed a retired table very pleasantly.
Blunt, Watkins, John and myself. Blunt, I have often mentioned and shall only say,
I
was better pleased with him than usual. Watkins is a very pleasant fellow indeed and
full of life. After drinking a sufficit of what Blunt was pleased to call “Cider”
and eating Canvass Backs we again went upstairs, and as I felt very much like
dancing I was introduced to and danced with Miss Hamm of Alexandria. My head was
turning very rapidly and I felt in extravagantly high spirits. I did nothing however
which could in the least compromise my character. The only difficulty was that I
could not plainly distinguish her questions, so that I had to answer at random, but
it was with general success. She asked me my opinion { 70 } of Miss
Crowninshield and here I got into a difficulty for I did not speak in the highest
terms of them and afterwards understood they [are] intimates from a
boarding school. This one was a pleasant girl, with considerable vivacity—and
probably made allowances for Cider. Watkins in dancing the reel was thrown down in
elegant style and in attempting to recover himself drew up Miss Orr’s gown to a
considerable height. On the whole, I had a delightful time and taking another glass
of cider with Blunt we three got in to the Carriage and dropping him arrived safe
at
home. The family had gone long before.

2. The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, who dealt with the funding of the national
debt, were Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins, Attorney General William Wirt, JQA,
Registrar of the Treasury Joseph Nourse, and one Marshall (JQA, Diary, 6 Feb. 1824). As a member of the commission JQA signed a
resolution recommending the purchase of 7-percent stock according to law (same,
26, 27 Jan. 1824).

3. Robert LeRoy Livingston’s wedding party for Robert Brent and his wife (JQA, Diary, 27 Jan. 1824).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0029

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-28

Wednesday 28th.

Coming down after the usual time spent upstairs in the morning, I heard the death
of Mrs. de Bresson1 announced, a circumstance very
shocking indeed. This lady was married at about this time last year, I attended her
parties upon the occasion and officiated in a little ceremony to do her honour. She
was then in all the pride of youth and beauty with hopes held out to her of all
happiness. But her year had been one of misery, she had suffered by the ague and
fever, by discouragement and bad treatment, finally had died in child birth. It is
a
melancholy case and exhibits to us in full force the mortality of the world. It
affects us much more to see a person cut off in the midst of youth and life when she
can enjoy it most than when the person is so old it is not more than to be expected.
But I could not submit to feel much as it is only putting oneself out of order for
nothing. Feelings and thoughts of this kind arise too often even in the usual run
of
life, so we must endeavour to repel them with vehemence. Accordingly John and myself
took a walk with Mary and Abby to see Miss Selden, as I did not think it worthwhile
to attend the House this morning. The lady was in full bloom, and looked as pretty
as I ever saw her. There was considerable company there, all the Gales’s2 and others. As I did not know them I did not say a word.
They soon retired, we took the usual formal set and then went ourselves.

From here, John and I went to Street’s3 painting
rooms, to see the pictures he has up here for Exhibition. There were four of them,
a
Maniac, which was pretty well, the figure a little too much swollen, but generally
the expression was good. This was decidedly the best of the pictures. Two others
were so poor and struck me so little that I do not recollect their names. The fourth
was from Thomson’s Summer, Musidora on the brink of the stream represented perfectly
naked—a fine description but the painting unequal to it. So I retired quite
displeased. The face was terribly ugly but the limbs were quite well shaped and
might have had an impression had a very little more been exposed. He is pretty true
to the description however.4 The third picture I
recollect now, to have been Celadon and Amelia, struck by lightning, in Thomson, but
the picture very faulty indeed. The dog which accompanies appeared the only natural
part of the painting.5

In the evening we went to Mrs. Tayloe’s6 according
to invitation, the rooms not remarkably well filled, all the corps diplomatique
absent, and many others on account of the occurrence this morning. For myself I did
not feel in very high spirits and had I, there was nobody here I wished to see. The
Cottringers were not here. Miss McKnight was and I danced with her. Miss Clapham,
of
whom I should have given a description long since, for I was introduced to her on
the fifteenth of the month at Mrs. Ringgold’s but as I forgot to make any mention
of
this party at that time I must insert it in a note to this volume.7 Watkins was here and lively enough, also Edward Kerr, whom
I had not seen before to speak to since my return. He is a singular young man but
one not much to my liking as I believe him to harbour in his breast, envy, malice,
and all uncharitableness. I drank a good deal of punch with Watkins to try him, but
he was steady as possible. Kerr was inclining, but the materials were exhausted. In
short, such mean entertainment I do not think I ever saw before in any house in
Washington. I did not dance much and enjoyed myself very moderately indeed. Dancing
is not so agreable to me as it used to be, more on account of the difference in the
society I presume than any other. These [confounded
balls?] are very disgusting objects. Madame and Mary did not go on account
of this morning’s affair, Monsieur, Abby and we two filling the carriage, as he is
always ready and Abby, obedient. We soon went off, I did wish to dance a Spanish
dance but Colonel’s black fiddlers could not play one.

1. Mrs. Charles de Bresson, the daughter of Judge Smith Thompson, was the wife of a
secretary of the French legation in Washington (JQA,
Diary, 28 Jan. 1824).

2. Presumably the family of Joseph { 72 } Gales (1786–1860), the
co-editor of the National Intelligencer (DAB).

Thursday 29th.

Morning spent upstairs, then to the Capitol. Mr. Stevenson of Virginia delivering
his sentiments against the passage of the bill on roads and canals. He argued in his
usual furious, rantipole,1 manner much to my
entertainment. He made an attack upon Mr. Clay, charging him with inconsistencies
in
his conduct, comparing his two speeches, one on the question concerning the United
States Bank, delivered some years ago in the Senate, and the late one. He was very
vehement, used the old Virginia argument of the unconstitutional point of it. On the
whole there was some blinding sophistry and two or three ridiculous stories—to cast
reflection on Mr. Clay.2 But I observed that it was
received without the least difficulty, and that although once or twice he coloured
a
little it was not like his last foam.

Mr. Storrs followed him, on the opposite side, his argument was a very good one,
although at present I do not recollect the course of it at this distance of time.
It
is quite difficult to do so, unless the person is so distinguished that I not only
heard him with attention but read his speech afterwards. All these sketches are
taken from memory. The manner of this gentleman is rather good than otherwise
although there is something harsh in his voice. He argued “establish” meant to
create and in this way, that in the context it was that Congress have power to
establish post offices and post Roads. What does establish post offices mean? It
means to make offices or create them where they were not before. If so the argument
is clear, for the same word applies to both.3 He
finished the sitting of the House today.

Returning home, I was obliged to dress in haste to be prepared for the company to
dine to day. They consisted of Mr. Mills of Massachusetts, Senator. Messrs. Carter
of South Carolina, Eddy of Rhode Island, Foot of Connecticut, Henry of Kentucky,
Houston of Tennessee, Mallary of Vermont, Morgan of New York, Plumer of New
Hampshire, Tucker of Virginia and Williams of North Carolina.4 The { 73 } dinner was a very lively and agreable
one. Mr. Williams was next to me; he is a violent enemy of the house and
consequently I felt on my guard to him. Mr. Foot was opposite and Tucker next. It
was remarkable what a number of the opposing parties there were making up this
dinner. It is supposed that the three above mentioned are all enemies and that but
four decided friends were at table.

There was a great deal of life in the conversation at our end of the table,
particularly when the subject of roads and canals came up, all the members there
being in direct opposition to the passage of the bill. Mr. Tucker would not argue
upon the subject as he informed us that he reserved his reasons for the House. Mr.
Williams called it absolute destruction to the constitution. In fact by talking and
laughing they became so severe that the only two supporters of the bill sprung from
table immediately after the ladies retired under pretence of an engagement, but
really if one could judge from the colour of Houston’s face, it was from rage. They
all then went upstairs, and after some lively conversation, went away. Blunt was
here in the evening after they had gone and staid till eleven o’clock.

2. Congressman Stevenson argued that in 1811 Clay, then a Senator, had believed in
strict construction, holding that the incorporation of the United States Bank was
an unconstitutional assumption of powers not specifically delegated to the federal
government. Now Clay and his followers maintained that the federal government had
the necessary power to assist the building of canals and roads under the
constitutional provision giving it the right to establish post offices and post
roads and to regulate commerce (Annals of
Congress, 18 Cong., 1 sess., p. 1264–1282).

3. Congressman Henry Randolph Storrs (1787–1837), of New York,
argued that the general government was created to promote grand national interests
and that any grant of political power necessarily included the right of using all
necessary means for accomplishing the object of that power. Consequently Congress
had only to seek authority for supporting internal improvements in the general
welfare clause of the Preamble and in the commerce clause (same, p.
1282–1291).

Friday 30th.

After having spent the morning as usual I went to the House to hear Mr. Randolph in
this bill of roads and canals. I went early to get a good seat, but was routed by
ladies. I managed, however, to obtain a pretty good one, and heard him clearly
deliver his sentiments on the bill. He makes beautiful speeches, there is more of
real parliamentary eloquence in him than in any one in the House. He is be• { 74 } sides more of a classical man than I had any idea, as he made
several very beautiful and very apt quotations in his remarks. He was very severe
upon Mr. Madison, and from here turned on his old theme, Mr. Clay. He is a man with
no argument, but a great deal of shrewd observation and cutting satire. He destroyed
the effect of Mr. Storrs argument very much by observing that he could
[not] listen to arguments founded on the word municipal;1 he had been sick of the word ever since the time
&c. and then he told a story which turned all the point of the arguments, for
Storrs’ was a strong one, into a joke. He repeated his complaints as to himself
again, indeed commenced with an apology for having taken up the time of the House
so
often of late and made assurances that it should not happen so much hereafter. I am
obliged to consider him a great man although he has been a violent opponent to my
race.2

Mr. Clay followed him in answer to the attack yesterday and the one today. He
argued but little analogy in the cases yesterday and the gentleman might make the
most of what there was, as he would candidly inform him that he had changed his
opinion, a right which Mr. Clay often has occasion to claim. He had grown old, he
said and accompanied this with the motion of putting on a pair of spectacles, and
was not so well able to perform these duties as he had been, he was out of health
and could not speak well, all this in ridicule of Randolph’s manner. He said the
gentleman had talked of his ancestors. He had no ancestors to boast; he had worked
through the world as he could and was not prepared to lay any claim to merit but
what he himself might advance. He continued in this course for considerable time and
then came to a support of his argument. He said that Congress had the power if they
pleased to tax America to the last cent, a proposition to which I could not agree
as
in that case where is the check upon the power of a few corrupted and influential
men in that House.

He made some observations also upon the course of some few members in the House,
who, he regretted to say, had not treated [him] with that fairness
which he ought to expect. That he was placed before the nation in a situation which
he could not avoid, and therefore he would confess that he felt angry at the
baseness of those members, but he allowed that the House generally had treated him
very handsomely in this respect. The speech was a violent one, a pleasant one for
an
auditor and as usual, an inconsistent one.3 At the
close Mr. Hamilton announced to the House, that the late unhappy difference between
two distinguished members, had been { 75 } amicably settled. Something
remarkable as coming from the chairman of the committee on Military Affairs.

1. Randolph claimed that the current difficulty stemmed from “a fatal admission” of
Madison, “which gave a sanction to the principle that the Government had the power
to charter the present collossal Bank of the United States . . . and one other
which I will not name [probably Madison’s recommendation of a constitutional
amendment to permit internal improvements].” Fearing that the federal government
had already given away one of its two great powers, the power of the purse,
Randolph warned that broadening its war-making power by allowing the construction
of roads under the guise of military necessity could lead to further extensions,
even to the freeing of the slaves (Annals
of Congress, 18 Cong., 1 sess., p. 1296–1311).

Storrs had argued that the central government not only had national powers but
“municipal” ones as well—that is, that it could operate directly on its citizens.
Randolph retorted: “I shall say nothing about that word municipal ... it has been like ratsbane in my mouth, ever since the late
Ruler of France took shelter under that word, to pocket our money, and incarcerate
our persons, with the most profound respect for our neutral
rights” (same, p. 1302).

3. Clay’s answer is an excellent example of his pragmatic approach in politics. He
had, indeed, changed his mind on certain issues, but he explained that the
necessity of developing the West and at the same time enhancing the prosperity of
the whole nation demanded such a change (Annals of Congress, 18 Cong., 1 sess., p. 1311). The Kentuckian
did not, in fact, argue that Congress could tax away the last dollar from every
man; rather, he was unmasking the arguments of his opponents, who claimed that his
very limited internal improvements proposals could lead to some vast, calamitous,
future extension of federal power. By the same reasoning, Clay showed, the power
to tax could hypothetically lead to the confiscation of every man’s property
(same, p. 1316).

4. Presumably the wife of General Uriah Forrest, owner of Rosedale, a thousand-acre
estate north of Georgetown (Wharton, Social Life in the Early
Republic, p. 88).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0001-0032

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-01-31

Saturday 31st.

Exercises performed as usual. Madame and Mary went with Monsieur to Mrs. de
Bresson’s funeral which took place today. To me at a distance it appeared a very
long one. When they came home they had such long faces that they almost infected the
house so that I was obliged to tell ridiculous stories about Cambridge to turn the
feeling. Women are made of very irregular feelings for these laughed almost
hysterically at my stories and although in very low spirits could not avoid paying
attention to me. A man, had he been grieved, would have rejected all folly until the
next day when his spirits return but a woman will grieve the next day and laugh if
diverted. Their want of occupation gives them time and when they think of nothing
else they lament.

However, I had been considerably shocked myself, and therefore went out and took a
walk to the [Columbian] College, near which I { 76 } had not been for years. It appears to be a flourishing establishment and may at
some future time be quite worthwhile but at present it is only a secondary affair.
The afternoon was a pleasant one, but I could not help looking toward the eastern
branch and thinking how low she was layed. So young. It might have been a blessing
to her for it was said that her mind had been severely affected once or twice
before. But still the shock was a severe one. And when I thought of all the
heartless scandal that I had heard repeated over concerning her and the family I
could not help loathing the common forms and the inhabitants of this mortal
world.

I came home, more settled; the family appeared very chilly though. Madame has not
been so well of late, which has damped us all, besides this occurrence. I do not
think she is in such good spirits this winter as usual. Not so fond of society, she
has become less ambitious of keeping the lead, probably because all her rivals have
fallen before her. Mrs. Brown being the last one having disappeared. Johnson being
sick too serves to depress the house. In fact Washington is not so delightful this
winter from these causes, and because society is no novelty now, and my favoris
never present.

After dinner, Monsieur and John went to hear Mr. Goodacre’s introduction to his
astronomical lectures,1 while the rest of us stayed
at home moping considerably.

1. Robert Goodacre published an Outline of Eight Lectures on
Astronomy and of an Introductory Lecture Which Will Be Delivered in the Assembly
Hall near the Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, Washington, 1824.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0002-0001

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-02-01

Journal. February. 1824. Sunday 1st.

For the first time this Winter, we had a cold day, in truth, hitherto it has been
most remarkable in this respect. I went to Mr. Baker’s Church1 however, with my father, and heard him deliver a Sermon in
his own style. That is to say, a sort of familiar conversation with his people. It
appears to me that this sort of preaching might be made a great deal of by an
eloquent and a powerful man. And even without if a person possessed only tact and
talent enough he might act with a great deal of force. It is a method which so
easily takes hold of the multitude and shows so much of the native simplicity of the
religion that it is surprizing able men have not oftener resorted to it. For my own
part however I am much more affected I must confess with the regular service of the
English Church.

Returning, I spent the rest of the day lounging about the house, { 77 } reading one or two French books and for the most part not doing much. Perhaps it
would not be improper for me here to mention what I have read this winter, as my
list has not hitherto been very extensive. I have in the first place, read a novel
by Benjamin Constant which appears to me very beautifully written and interesting;
the moral too I very much approve for it gives us an animated description of the
waste of youth, through the indulgence of a careless passion and the feelings which
attend on an extravagance in love. A full argument, it appears to me to the question
of difference of age in marriage and has shown me the folly of my conduct and my
wishes two or three years since. I have forgotten the name.2

It having become time to dress for dinner, Monsieur having made up a company for a
Sunday dinner, we went upstairs, and after a long
conversation on politics &c., New York &c., we prepared to go down. The
gentlemen asked were Mr. Coolidge of Boston,3
Captain Pedrick formerly mentioned who has at last arrived, and Mr. Van Wyck of New
York who is staying here at present with purpose not known but supposed.4 After a very long and tedious sitting upstairs dinner was
announced and I by fate was thrown between the girls, as the gentlemen neither of
them could endure the fire. Mr. Coolidge had his usual smooth insinuating New
England way, which showed the man of wealth which Bostonians know so well how to do,
and not the finished man which in such a station he might be. Mr. Van Wyck appeared
to me the only really any thing like agreable man of the three and what he possessed
appeared more of the homely and simple manners of a New York inlander than the
polished ones of the city. But Captain Pedrick, alas! was doomed to be laughed at
by
the table in a most unmannerly way. Johnson, John, Madame, Mary and myself were on
the full soar for half an hour, trying to make subjects for conversation and
failing. For my part, I endeavoured to lay it all on the fire which affected me, but
it made it more ridiculous and we were doomed to be unmannerly, for this day. The
Captain looked very blue, and Abby appeared to be out of her element not being quick
at such things. We soon rose, and then were doomed to a bore, as the visitors did
not appear to know the rules.

4. Samuel Van Wyck, brother of Congressman William William Van Wyck, of New York,
was eager to go to Europe as a diplomatic agent or messenger (JQA, Diary, 1 and 11 Feb. 1824).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0002-0002

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-02-02

Monday. 2d.

This day was spent at home, in finishing my lord Bacon and in reading miscellanies.
To continue the review of past books, the next one that I took up was the
Confessions of an Opium Eater1 a book sent here for
Madame by Mr. Addington.2 It is a very odd thing and
a very amusing one, but the language is dressed up so bombastically that I am always
in doubt whether he is ludicrously disposed or utters this with intention and in
earnest. Such an incoherent mass it is hardly possible to meet with any where, and
at the same time the portions of it are beautiful at others ridiculous and at others
solemnly in earnest. It is a compound, and we are led to think that if he has not
suffered what he represents, he describes correctly, and if he has that he is
unfortunate.

One thing in it I was obliged to criticize although against the opinion of my
Mother. I thought the language inflated, and although it was argued against me that
this was the fashionable tongue in England now, I had only to lament the corruptions
of the age. I have now to recur very naturally to the review of this work which is
in the North American,3 and appears to me rather a
disgrace to it than otherwise. It is a patched up thing with neither wit, spirit or
sense. In fact considering this number of the publication as the standard of what
it
is to be, I cannot help thinking there is a little depreciation from what it used
to
be. Mr. Everett gave a success to that publication and a brilliancy which deserved
it, not to be equalled I think, by a man, whom I am inclined to think has rather too
good an opinion of himself. For the present editor to be brilliant he should have been formed of more fiery materials.

In the Evening as Monsieur was engaged to dine at Mr. Mosher’s4 and consequently was unable to go to Mr. Goodacre’s
lecture, he gave me his ticket and I availed myself of it to hear him. Indeed my
knowledge of Astronomy was very much improved by it. I obtained a clear view of the
relative disposition of the planets and by means of his large orrery was enabled to
obtain quite a good impression. It is my opinion that more might be learned by boys
in this way than in the dull theories which they are forever and ever drilling and
drilling into them. Mr. Goodacre appeared to be a very religious and enthusiastic
man for he interspersed all his observations with allusions to the supreme Creator.
This course on all accounts appears to be well fitted for instruction. Men of this
kind however are but little encouraged in this country. We are too new a race ever
to be performing any thing like extensive improvement, and perhaps it is well { 79 } for our resources are not wasted. Boston which professes to give
such encouragement to talent, pays an extravagant price for admission to see a
buffoon while it neglects the provision of a good standing company of actors to
amuse us for a season.

I returned home well pleased, and having ordered some oysters this evening we were
not so unfortunately disappointed, but sat down and paid great devotion to them,
particularly Mary and myself, Abby as usual not knowing what to make of it. After
a
pleasant supper and a cigar with John, I went to bed.

1. Thomas De Quincey, Confessions of an English Opium-Eater,
London, 1822.

2. Henry Unwin Addington, British chargé in Washington from 1823 to 1825. Bradford
Perkins has edited Youthful America: Selections from Henry Unwin
Addington’s Residence in the United States of America, 1822, 23, 24, 25,
Berkeley and Los Angeles, 1960, which contains colorful glimpses of JQA.

3. Willard Phillips, “Confessions of an Opium-Eater,” North
American Review, 42:90–98 (Jan. 1824). The editor of the Review was Jared Sparks (1789–1866); his predecessor
had been Edward Everett.

4. JQA’s Diary records under this date that he “Dined
with Mr. Mosher, at Georgetown,” and lists the company.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0002-0003

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-02-03

Tuesday 3d.

The Weather continued remarkably cold and for the first time this season the
Potomac exhibited a thick covering of ice over it’s surface. For my part I stayed
at
home all day and read some numbers in the Enuite de la Sainte Pelagie, a very well
written thing but severely reflecting on the conduct of the French government.

Madame was sufficiently well today to go out and pay visits, and Miss Mary was sent
to Kalorama1 with the Carriage to bring Miss
McKnight down to stay here a few days. Miss Cranch also came which fills up the
house pretty well as there are nine of us now in the family. I am not sorry as the
old proverb of “the more the merrier” is one which I am at present inclined to think
well of, as the family has not yet got out of the dumps.

As it was the last evening at which I was to be present, Madame had the kindness to
order the band, at the usual Tuesday Evening. But I did not avail myself much of the
invitation as I always prefer to walk about and see the people. For my own part, I
danced with Miss McKnight in the regular dances and nobody else. She is a young lady
of that description that one observation is enough. There is one thing remarkable
about her though, that she is extremely ladylike in her manners and although a
little too precise has more of the “ton de la bonne compagnie société” than girls
here usual have. I cannot { 80 } help making an exception of the Miss
Cottringers who are more praiseworthy as they are more ardent tempers. I have never
seen any thing gauche or improper in them. They are not so much out this winter and
I have paid them nothing but a card visit as yet and it is so late now I do not
intend it. I again asked Miss Peter. It has been a singular circumstance throughout
the winter that at almost every party at which I have been present I have asked her,
and she has always been preengaged, not that this has been matter of sorrow for I
think that she is not the woman which I was formerly inclined to think her. Too much
sameness is apt to cloy and at the same time her stiff behaviour. She holds her neck
too stiffly and dances badly.

Miss Selden was very cool to me all the evening and it was the same with me as I
had found observations had been made upon John. I did not wish to have him continue
in the track so set the example against it. John did dance with her and excite
remark as much as usual. He intends nothing but is singularly unfortunate in his
situations. I asked her myself not to appear too abrupt about knowing her to be
engaged.2 Mrs. Sullivan was gracious to me this
evening, something very uncommon, and unexpected. I think but poorly of her. She is
sister to Winthrop of our class.3 A Mrs. Rieves was
here the wife of a new Virginia Member, herself a bride.4 She was not handsome, but lively enough. John danced with
her, so took the trouble from me.

After the company had all retreated except Miss dWolf’s and Mrs. Dodge, we had a
Cottillion, I dancing with Miss Cranch. A very good sort of mouse. Johnson was
hooked into an acquaintance with Miss D’Wolf but could not go to dance. After which
we departed to rest.

1. Kalorama, the old estate of Joel Barlow, owned in 1824 by Col. George Bomford of
the ordnance bureau, lay just west of the bounds of the city, between Florida
Avenue and Rock Creek (Bryan, Hist. of
the National Capital, 1:240, 582; 2:8).

2. CFA probably meant: “I asked her myself not to appear too abrupt, knowing her
about to be engaged.”

Wednesday 4th.

Spent the day at home, again, although the family all went except Madame to the
Supreme Court which opened this week, to hear Mr. Webster argue on the Steam boat
Case. A very interesting contention between the proprietors of an extensive grant
over the waters of New York, given by the legislature and the owner of a boat which
{ [fol. 80] } { [fol. 80] } { [fol. 80] } { [fol. 80] } { 81 } they had seized and condemned. It is a case of great importance
involving a question of state rights which has some bearing on the method of reading
our constitution. Mr. Webster and Mr. Wirt are in support of the owner who is the
plaintiff and Messrs. Emmett and Oakley of New York are in defence of the
proprietors, consequently it is expected that there will be great specimens of
argument on both sides.1

Mrs. Sullivan, who is a great lady on occasions of this kind, volunteered to take
up two of our ladies to hear the debate, which they accepted. Consequently she came
for them, according to her usual custom immediately after breakfast, which was quite
teasing to our poor girls. Mary and Miss McKnight went with her. It is highly
amusing to observe the parties in which the girls form themselves, Mary and Miss
McKnight forming the representatives of the South in life and perhaps in temper
while Abby and Miss Cranch, who possessing perhaps more feeling, have none of those
alluring fascinating ways which so much grace a woman but the mumpish,2 sentimental, homely silence of New England. In my choice I
think I could give up some of the affection for a little more of the vivacity.
Perhaps a blending of the two characters would make the most perfect one imaginable.
Johnson and John walked up.

The latter now came down saying his boot hurt him which it did. The ladies also
came in, but not in the best spirits imaginable as they had been constrained to sit
and hear the dry arguments of the law detailed off to them, Mrs. Sullivan having no
mercy. She is or apes to be a “bas bleu” and makes herself appear very foolish. In
fact she must be a very weak woman, or she would not attempt to gain so much notice.
Mr. Webster closed and Mr. Oakley commenced in reply. The girls made a great many
lamentations and John I thought was not altogether sorry that his boot pinched him
insupportably. Mr. Webster’s speech was however very highly thought of.

In the Evening, all the girls went with John and Monsieur to the Drawing Room,
which was held to night for the second time this season, Johnson, Madame and I
remaining at home. For my part having been once I did not think it worthwhile to go
again as there is but little pleasure in the visits. In fact I do not think they
could well be made more stiff than they are at present. Mr. J. W. Taylor of New York
came this evening to see Monsieur and as he was not at home, he walked upstairs and
took tea with us. He is rather a pleasant man and with considerable abilities of a
certain sort. His influence in the House is pretty extensive having been chosen
Speaker { 82 } once and talked of often. His visit tonight appeared to be
to Monsieur particularly as he went down for private conversation when he
returned.3

1. In the celebrated case of Gibbons v. Ogden (9 Wheaton 1),
Thomas Addis Emmet and Thomas J. Oakley appeared against Daniel Webster and
William Wirt. The case, rising from a monopoly granted by the New York legislature
for the operation of steamboats in state waters, resulted in a Supreme Court
decision which gave a broad construction of congressional power under the commerce
clause.

3. Speaker John W. Taylor (1784–1854) reported that Senator
Jesse B. Thomas was again proposing that the caucus nominate Crawford for
President and JQA for Vice President. Because of Crawford’s ill health, Thomas
argued, the duties of the Presidency might fall to the Vice President, and
doubtless Crawford’s friends would support JQA in the next election. JQA declined
to place the North below the South or to countenance any caucus nomination. See
JQA, Diary, 4 Feb. 1824, and entry for 15 Jan., and note,
above.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0002-0005

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-02-05

Thursday. 5th.

My Geography having been finished yesterday, the few remaining days of this
vacation will be spent very much without method or desire of study, as I think that
I have done a good deal considering the situation in which I was placed and the many
inclinations to divert me from my purpose.

I went this morning to the Supreme Court to hear this case [and]
Mr. Oakley’s way of representing the matter. But he was so close in his arguments
and so much attached to the law that I could not follow him. He is a very dry
speaker and only remarkable for his power of logical reasoning, and insinuating
sophistry which he displays here remarkably as he appears to me to be undoubtedly
on
the wrong side of the subject. He closed today and Mr. Emmett continued his
argument. He is old, and looks as if he would soon be obliged to relinquish his
business. His teeth have fallen out and it is evident that he speaks with great
exertion, although he can endure a great while. He commenced with a severe and
tremendous philipic upon the states bordering upon New York, saying that she had
endured long without complaining, that she had never put her laws in execution, and
that it was only in consequence of the irritating conduct of the neighbouring states
that she felt herself obliged to rise in her might. He got himself into a real
passion by chafing, and being an Irishman, it was very natural and easy for him to
do. His power of language however is great and his manner when a younger man must
have been very impressive.

As soon as he fell upon the law I left him and returned home where I was shortly
obliged to dress for dinner. The company con• { 83 } sisted of Messrs.
Holmes of Mississipi, Knight of Rhode Island and Ruggles of Ohio, Senators. Messrs.
Archer of Virginia, Cassedy of New Jersey, Foote and Van Wyck of New York, Ingham
and Stewart of Pennsylvania, Livermore and White of Vermont, Warfield of Maryland,
and Wayne and Whittlesey of Ohio.1 Mr. Stewart was
on my left today. He is quite a pleasant man, and has more power of conversation
than I thought was in any Member from that State. It is singular that the
representation from that state, which is the second in importance in this union,
should be so very badly represented. But the common people of the state are
generally so ignorant that perhaps it is not so surprizing. Mr. Sergeant2 was formerly quite an honour to the State.

It is remarkable, that if the last dinner party was unanimous or nearly so against
the bill of Roads and Canals this one was as strongly in favour of it and Mr.
Whittlesey was very bitter about it, showing very plainly the feelings which actuate
the Western people generally. They are considerably exasperated at the illiberality
of the people on the sea board with a little reason I think. Mr. Foote of New York
exposed himself considerably as he arrived here considerably intoxicated and
declined eating any thing saying he had just dined. On the whole he appeared to
possess the qualities of a gentleman to a great degree of perfection. Monsieur took
it however in very good part, and laughed a good deal about him. Johnson says
Warfield is a wag but I saw nothing like a sample of it today.

This dinner was quite a pleasant one considering the general character of things of
this kind. They are not pleasant to me as I have for the most part to break the ice
myself with the person who sits near me. A circumstance which in a young man may
appear rather presuming and which is sometimes repulsed and sometimes politely
received. I know my motive to be good, and as I imagine myself generally conferring
a favour, I persist. It is however a pretty hard task. After dinner we went upstairs
and immediately some ladies and gentlemen came in, as Madame had wished to form a
musical party this evening. Foote finding himself not likely to support himself even
by his name retired. As did all the others of the party
except Stewart who appeared pleased and stayed here the evening.

The musical party, consisted of a Mrs. Bushby and her husband, with her two sisters
the Miss Stedmans, ladies from the West Indies but not remarkable for beauty, Mr.
Talbot and his wife, a very attractive and pleasant woman. He is a Senator but a
most amusing character. And according to the stories about, not the most agreable
{ 84 } in his person. Mrs. Beaumarchais with a son and niece, not the
prettiest. She is hear for a claim which she has come from France to obtain but it
is said, not with any probability of success.3 Our
good friends Dr. and Mrs. Thornton were here also, whom I would not for the world
forget. These formed the party with much pleasure. Mr. Bushby is quite a genteel
man, very English in his appearance, a certain class of whom always look genteel—it
must be confessed.

But my great diversion this evening consisted of an innocent quiz of mine upon my
good friend Dr. Thornton, who got me deeper into the system of courts than I
intended to have gone, but by perpetually winding round the subject, he got
extravagantly enthusiastic when I turned him over to father in order that he might
attend and profit by his theory. The West Indian ladies in the mean time sung a
great while without much effect; they have singular voices in tone similar to frogs.
Madame also sung and pretty well although not half so clearly as I have known her
to. Mr. Addington was here also and stayed till last. Two awkward circumstances
occurred. Antonio4 came to extinguish the candles
before he had gone and his carriage was announced to be ready two or three times.
Retired in good season.

2. John Sergeant (1779–1852), a Princeton-educated lawyer who
was a Federalist Congressman from 1815 to 1823 (same).

3. Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais (1732–1799), the
dramatist and the ill-fated financial agent of the French monarchy, had furnished
arms to the United States during the Revolution through a fake company in return
for tobacco and other American commodities. The Congress, however, never fulfilled
its part of the barter arrangement, and Beaumarchais’ widow was not recompensed
until 1835. See Elizabeth S. Kite, Beaumarchais and the War of
American Independence, 2 vols., Boston, 1918.

4. Antonio Giusta, JQA’s butler and valet. He was an Italian, an ex-Napoleonic
soldier, and had served JQA since 1814. Often called Antoine, his full name as
given by JQA in a character reference when his old servant had to leave his employ
in 1829 was Michael Anthony Giusta (MS dated 22 Feb.
1829 in MBU). See also Bemis,
JQA, 2:159.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0002-0006

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-02-06

Friday 6th.

Attended the Supreme Court this morning and heard Mr. Emmett in continuation, but
he was so much in the law that I could not go { 85 } on with him. The
case in it’s simple form is this, that a man in the state of New York having
invented or highly improved a method of propelling boats by steam, and it being very
expensive, he got a company formed, which applied to the New York legislature for
an
exclusive right to navigate the river and waters in [and] about the
State, which was granted to them. By virtue of this they seized a steam boat coming
in from New Jersey and refused all intercourse with other states which refused them
in their turn. The question now is whether the state of New York have a right to
make an exclusive grant to an individual or a set of individuals, of the waters
which may well be styled common highways. Although this is the subject, Mr. Emmett
was very extravagant in his language and talked so high about some future separation
of the States that he drove my father out of the room. He had been sitting here as
the commissioners of the sinking fund met today.

Having remained here a sufficient time, I went into the House where I heard
Alexander Smyth prosing away to empty walls. He appeared to be arguing upon this old
Internal improvement bill, and consequently I left him to prove the case very much
by himself.1 From here I went to the Senate, where
they were discussing the subject of increase of the navy, Mr. Lloyd having brought
a
bill for the appropriation of a sum of 480,000 dollars, to build ten sloops of war.
Governor Barbour of Virginia was speaking in his magnanimous way when I first went
in but I heard only his close.2

Colonel Hayne of South Carolina then made a short speech in favour of the bill with
which I was much pleased. He answered the objections of the gentlemen who had been
speaking before.3 He first made a brief objection to
the argument used by some radical I presume, who speaking of the superfluous money
in the treasury which this is intended to expend, said that it would be much better
to pay off the national debt.4 He said that the debt
was not yet made due and it was not worthwhile to anticipate as there was no
expectation of a deficit. He then retorted to the argument of a navy’s (in peace)
being useless. He went on in a clear and logical and at the same time in a handsome
strain. I am compelled by my limits to be more brief than was my intention. He is
not a handsome man; his voice is quite poor, I think, and his manner is nothing very
uncommon. It is too much the habit with the Charleston people to puff their great
men to such a height that it is hardly possible to avoid being disappointed with
them. It has been the case to me, in Hamilton, M’Duffie and this Hayne. This man
however I think much more of than of the { 86 } others. His speech was
short and animated and as General S. Smith began to drawl I went away and came
home.

Miss Cranch went away today and has left Abby alone to stand the shock of the other
party. The two girls have not been on the best terms with each other this winter.
Madame was very unwell all day, in her room. Her health is quite delicate. Miss
McKnight was quite agreable and we spent the evening very pleasantly in the drawing
room, and retired early. Mrs. Mc Lane5 had a party
but we did not go.

2. Actually the bill which James Lloyd (1769–1831) sponsored for
the Committee on Naval Affairs called for two annual appropriations of $425,000
each (same, p. 139, 149, 210, 229–230). Barbour supported the bill as a measure
necessary to protect the nation (same, p. 210–214, and 214–216).

3. Robert Young Hayne (1791–1839) answered the argument made by
Walter Lowrie (1784–1868), of Pennsylvania, that the
country’s finances did not permit the construction of so many ships (same, p.
214).

4. The “radical” Hayne answered was Samuel Smith (1752–1839), of
Maryland. For Hayne’s full speech, see same, p. 216–224.

Saturday. 7th.

Nothing to do today, and my feelings not the most agreable on account of the close
of the vacation, so soon to happen. Spent the day in the house, Madame unwell all
day. One circumstance very highly provoked me today, which was Mary’s taunting
manner to Abby which made me so angry that I gave her a severe lecture even in Miss
McKnight’s presence. It has been but seldom that I have assumed any authority over
her of late but her manner was too insolent today to be borne, particularly since
Abby has made some observations to me, which could not but make me feel she was
unpleasantly situated here. Mary made battle and was sulky supposing this to be the
beginning of the old courses but I afterwards treated her with so much equability
that she came over to be quite easy and smooth again—such is the temper of
woman.

In the evening Blunt was here again much to the annoyance of us all. Monsieur and
John went to Mr. Goodacre’s lecture, Madame was sick and Miss McKnight went home in
the afternoon so that his entertainment was to be provided by Mary, Johnson, Abby
and myself out of what we best could obtain. This was poor enough and the man must
have had a dreadfully dull time. He stayed however till after ten o’clock,
pretending himself on important business with my { 87 } father. He is the
most monstrous puff about man that I have yet met with,
declaring himself at one time engaged as junior counsel under Mr. Webster and about
to argue a case in the Supreme Court—at another, made reporter in Mr. Wheaton’s1 absence and so on. I suspect the importance of his
politics to be the same, or at least that he is but a tool.

1. Henry Wheaton (1785–1848) was reporter of the United States
Supreme Court from 1816 to 1827 and edited twelve volumes of the Court’s opinions
(DAB).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0002-0008

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-02-08

Sunday 8th.

Did not attend Church today, but on account of the loveliness of the day I was
obliged to go and take a walk, so Johnson and myself went as far as the College. The
air was delightful, being mild as spring and made me feel more sensibly what I was
about to lose. In fact the winter generally has been the pleasantest, in respect to
weather that I have ever had the fortune to enjoy, as heat to me is second life. It
appears to me from my nature and temper that I was made for the South, and people
never made such a mistake in the world as when they judge me cold or naturally
grave. At home we were extremely dull, Madame being still in her room although
better, John writing letters and Johnson’s politics not sufficiently good looking
to
make him in a better humour than he commonly is. He is also somewhat depressed by
his sickness.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0002-0009

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-02-09

Monday 9th.

Arose today and went to the House of Representatives for the last time this year.
I
also went into the Supreme Court. Mr. Wirt was finishing the case in reply to
Emmett. It is said very able. Mr. Emmett’s close was said to have been remarkably
beautiful, therefore I was sorry I did not hear it. Mr. Wirt was in the law so I did
not stay long but went again to the House. Mr. Livingston was speaking on the
subject of Internal Improvements trying to place the subject in a new light.1 But he selected the time for his remarks, far too
late in the discussion of the bill. Every body is tired of hearing the mention of
Roads and Canals, so that he was but little attended to. I not feeling at all like
interesting myself particularly as my mind was otherwise occupied, went away and
left perhaps for many years the stately building which holds the directing power of
the nation.

Miss Selden was at the Supreme Court and John went and sat with her, but I was shy
and went off even without speaking to her. She sent by John to inform me the house
would be open till evening { 88 } but I did not wish to avail myself of
the advantage. In fact I felt so indifferent about going or staying that I was
unwilling to excite a regret at departure. On this account also, I refused to go any
where and left without paying a single take leave visit, a circumstance which, I
have since heard astonished some of the favoris very much.

In the evening by my father’s request, I went to Mr. Sullivan’s to inquire if he
had any command, a mere piece of politeness. Which being done, I spent the rest of
the evening over the newspapers with Johnson, Monsieur and John having gone as usual
to hear Mr. Goodacre.

1. Edward Livingston first narrowly construed the proposed measure, trying to show
that its objects were all within the powers specifically granted the Congress
under the Constitution, and then also reaffirmed the power of the federal
government to legislate for the general welfare (Annals of Congress, 18 Cong., 1 sess., p.
1430–1459).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0002-0010

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-02-10

Tuesday 10th.

Arose this morning at an early hour, and dressed myself again in my travelling
clothes. My preparations having all been made yesterday, I was very early. Monsieur
sent for me after breakfast, and entered into conversation with me on the subject
of
my College studies. The President had written to him, and so favourably that I was
quite well received. He still has a little too much penchant to my taking a high
College rank for me while here to satisfy him. My feelings were considerably
soothed, however, as I have been in the habit of thinking of him only as silently
grieved at what he supposes my negligence. And so I shall consider him till I have
an opportunity to show by my study and attention that he has entirely mistaken what
I am. I mentioned to him my method of studying my College lessons, that I studied
only those which I believed to benefit myself. That some branches I was unable and
unwilling to study, mentioning particularly the deep parts of mathematics.

I rather think that he does not understand me and that he underrates me, although
by this I do not mean to put myself very much up. To myself, I can speak with
freedom, and as it is useless for me to try to persuade myself that I am destitute
of abilities, so I have no desire to make them more than they really are. My
conversation was of such a nature however as to make my spirits very light and
buoyant all day. So that I was little affected by the Good bye ceremony. John had
intended to go to Baltimore with me but changed his mind. His eyes however looked
twice as small as usual, and Monsieur and Johnson looked as if they were sorry for
my departure.

Off drove the stage and I bid Goodbye to all the scenes of Washington, perhaps for
ever, who knows. Monsieur next winter may be driving about in the wind, scarcely
knowing his future home. Massachusetts may be his station, in which case, I lose
sight of Washington for years and perhaps for life. I may never see more that place
in which I have spent the very happiest passages of my youthful years. In my mind
the associations will ever be pleasant ones, for it appears more like the fairy land
to me, or that region in which so many of our pleasant dreams are situated. I had
a
dream there, for it could have been nothing else, and such as it was, I never expect
similar happiness again.1

But this is dreaming and although I thought of it in the coach, it all passed
through my mind with such rapidity as soon to give place to other and more immediate
images, for now I was forced to consider who were my fellow passengers. They were
but three and two of these I shall have occasion to mention more than once. Their
names I understood to be Shubrick2 and O’sullivan.
The former is a Carolinian in the Navy who came to apply for a station, but in vain.
He was a short, fat, figure, with a sort of snap me down face as if impatient of all
reply, an under lip very much curled and little fiery twinkling eyes which gave him
an expression of good nature as well as of decision. The other was a less pleasing
and less striking figure, only having the instinctive features of the Irishman. We
went for the most part in silence and dining at Merril’s on the road,3 we arrived at Baltimore at about seven o’clock, the rain
pouring in torrents. After taking tea I went directly to bed.

1. A reference, again, to his youthful passion for his cousin, Mary C. Hellen.

Wednesday 11th.

I do not recollect ever passing a more uncomfortable night than the one I am now
writing of. From eight o’clock until half past two, I was obliged to lay without a
wink of sleep or comfort, my blood being in a pretty feverish state. The sound of
a
fiddle disturbed me until eleven and then the alarm of fire which roused me, as the
bell in the house rang with great violence. At last, the man came to inform me that
it was time to get up which I heard for once with pleasure. This being done
immediately I went down, but had the exquisite { 90 } pleasure of
remaining an hour without any thing to do, a long day’s ride before me and a very
rainy morning. The roads bad, and the carriages worse so that I had a sweet day’s
work in contemplation, particularly after the quiet night and rest which I had so
lately enjoyed.

As the roads were very bad on the direct road I had determined to go on the
Lancaster route. My companions of yesterday also went, together with an old
acquaintance of mine, made at Washington, whom I entirely forgot to mention,
although he deserved it. This was a man we were at home accustomed to call “Uncle
Bowdoin” as he was in that relation to Mrs. Sullivan who used to call him so.1 He is a great fat old buck just come from Europe. And
appears the more ridiculously as his age and form correspond but poorly to the state
he wishes to assume. He withal is a terrible puff. With him he carried a valet de
chambre, Nicole, who, poor man had to sit in the rain, there being eight inside
already, one of them a thorough Pennsylvania native, being six feet and a half high,
correspondently gawky, and his mouth from ear to ear. His legs were a terrible
inconvenience.

By fate, Uncle, Shubrick and I obtained the back seat, but
we had not been there long before the officer began to give signs of his impatient
spirit, moving about and puffing most tremendously. This touched my other friend who
also set about doing the same here and although it was very dark they appeared to
know each other’s size pretty well. At last Shubrick burst forth, in frequent
exclamations it is very hot, it is very crowded, ’tis damn’d hot, &c. and Uncle
swore they must be carrying “[ . . . ]2 in the stage.”
At last the Lieutenant gave up the point and made a bold push for the front seat,
in
the middle of our course, which discomposed the rest marvellously but he swore that
he could stand it back no longer and that it ought to be a law in the stage, that
no
large men should be allowed to be conveyed in a stage, or at least they should count
more than one. The vehicle was an astonishingly hard one and afflicted us sore, so
that nothing was heard except plaints and lamentations. The breakfast was
intolerably bad, so that we had great right to be vapourish. But the puffing made
me
such diversion that I was in great good humour, though I was frequently told it was
no laughing matter.

Thus we went and at last reached York, where we dined, having travelled forty miles
in the most uncomfortable style possible. From here after a pretty good dinner, we
went in a two horse carriage to Lancaster, six of us being inside it and one out.
The innkeeper showed { 91 } a specimen of his craft, promising us if we
would go, with two horses, to which we had long demurred, that we should go it in
three hours, but one mile out of town, the driver became snappish, and such a
gentleman as with scorn to refuse a bribe. We were four hours and a half, so that
we
did not get into Lancaster until near nine o’clock, the space being twenty two miles
and more. The weather in the afternoon was oppressively hot, accompanied with most
tremendous showers of rain, in fact I should have been much more inclined to call
it
a July evening than one in February. The carriage was a delightfully easy one
however and recompensed us for the duresse in which we had been held. Uncle B.
however confessed himself so fatigued that he should be unable to pursue his journey
tomorrow, and consequently when the long wished for house was entered, he rolled
into bed immediately, declaring, “he should not recover for a week.” I considered
the worst part of my journey over, so after supper went to bed, although somewhat
dissatisfied being crammed in a room with O’sullivan and Shubrick.

1. CFA’s eccentric traveling companion was evidently a maternal uncle of Mrs. George
Sullivan, the former Sarah Bowdoin Winthrop (on whom see entry for 25 Dec. 1823, and note,
above), and therefore probably James Temple (1776–1842), a son
of Sir John Temple, late British consul general at New York. James Temple had
assumed the name Bowdoin under the terms of his paternal uncle James Bowdoin Jr.’s
will (NEHGR, 10 [1856]:76,
78).

2. CFA wrote this word twice, but it is still illegible: “feds,” “peds,” “beds”?

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0002-0012

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-02-12

Thursday. 12th.

Roused this morning at half past three o’clock, after a very uncomfortable night
indeed, dressed immediately and prepared myself for my journey. The weather had
become fair and turned cold. After some delay from the number of passengers we
mounted and went on—the two gentlemen being still with me. The stage in which we
travelled was of most enormous size, being able to carry fourteen passengers without
inconvenience. It looked more like a moving house, than any thing else. I obtained
a
seat in front and enjoyed a nap until breakfast time. The springs and road being so
good as not to move me in the least. At breakfast, I became thoroughly awake and
began to look about me to see the phizes of my companions, my first care almost
always when I am travelling about in large stages.

Mr. O’sullivan, I have understood to be a man not of the very fairest character in
the world, as it was not known how he acquired as much money as he did when in the
Pacific Ocean. Shubrick gave me this information although he did not have time to
state the reasons why { 92 } they suspected him. He is not a pleasant
man. With this last named man I was pleased, as he had considerable plainness in his
manner and seemed to be warm hearted. There was a woman in the stage, who in voice
and face bore a remarkable resemblance to Mrs. Henry the Boston actress,1 and put me into a love reverie for a few minutes. My heart
was opened and I admired her and her child painting to myself images of maternal
love, from which I easily came to pure affection and which dream might have lasted
longer, had it not been interrupted by the harsh squalls of the fretted child. So
I
was put to flight. A young man was in the stage also, who appeared to be acquainted
with her and in some measure to protect her from accidents. He had evidently just
come from College,2 as he displayed an astonishing
quantity of knowledge to the astonished ears of our country friends. One man there
was not remarkable for any thing except a pair of eyes which inclined most
terriffically toward each other—an unpleasant sight to look on. The rest were common
every day people with the exception of a little Dutch looking, squab girl, who was
very talkative indeed and a good subject for the quib3 which was played on her. She offered us some snuff, told us the story of her
runaway husband without emotion, and complained of being horribly sick. I never saw
any thing in my life more ugly. Good natured though to to a great degree.

Thus we travelled on, very comfortably indeed. It was fortunate for me that I
obtained so much rest today otherwise it is a question if I should have been able
to
have sustained such a severe course as yesterday might have been the commencement
of. We arrived in Philadelphia at half past three o’clock and went immediately to
the Mansion House. I instantly went up to wash and dress myself for it was much
needed, as I had not changed my clothes since my departure from Washington, and I
had the comfort of feeling cleanly, a great refreshment for travellers. Some
horrible accounts of the roads, so that I was almost tempted to stay here a day, but
it being late, I determined to go on. And to keep myself in order, I retired to bed
very early.

1. Mrs. Anne Jane Henry had made her Boston debut as a dancer in 1813; her second
husband was the gifted George H. Barrett (Joseph N. Ireland, Records of the New York Stage, N.Y., 1867, 1:444–446).

Friday. 13Th.

Roused this morning at half past three o’clock and started for New York after
waiting a convenient hour. The road for the first { 93 } fifteen miles
very good and spent by me as usual in sleep. After breakfast, which was made at a
place called Andalusia,1 renowned for it’s good buck
wheat cakes, I felt myself alive and prepared to take a good jolting. Shubrick got
to the end of his peregrination yesterday and O’sullivan went in the Union line this
morning whereas I went in the Citizen’s coach. One of my yesterday’s companions was
with me though, being the young man. The lady was to have gone but was left to go
in
the ten o’clock line. My fellow passengers today were a curious set, every man
almost having some peculiar characteristic which could afford matter of diversion
to
me sitting a disinterested spectator and observer.

The first that I shall mention, was an old man, who sat on the back seat, who
appeared to be about sixty years of age, with as stern and bloody a countenance as
I
ever saw upon mortal man, which was considerably increased by a large patch placed
upon a scratch over the left eye. His arm was also in bandages, which gave me a
strong suspicion of his having been a bruiser. He had come from the inner parts of
Pennsylvania, and did not invite conversation although he talked pretty mildly. I
did not like his looks and was glad when he made his exit at Princeton. Next came
a
young man who soon informed us that he was a Connecticut boy but was returning home
from his second campaign to the State of Ohio where he thinks of settling. He was
good natured and well behaved, being much more modest than men in his class are
generally. The others, two of them were Irishmen—one of whom I shall again have
occasion to speak. The other was a good sort of soul very much given to philosophy
and moralizing. I was for sometime quite astonished at his frequent bursts,
exclaiming perpetually, whether it was apt to the conversation or not, that “it was
interest governed all, faith it was,” which he accompanied with so many sage
commentaries that I was in a maze. But I discovered presently that he had learnt the
truth of his proposition by his experience, for on that morning he had lost his good
coat and gloves before he got into the coach so that at every shiver he was forcibly
reminded of the theft. The poor man trembled so that I gave him a small piece of the
upper part of my cloak for which he appeared grateful. I could not refuse for I
pitied him although I could not avoid laughing heartily at his philosophy.

The road was horrible and although I was not so much frightened as usual from some
unknown cause, I still felt very qualmish. A student at Princeton rode one stage
with us and we then were able to converse about the three universities very
pleasantly. My friend { 94 } (alumnus) of Yale, (for so he was) who
appears to be marked for the ministry amused me by his observations, some of which
however were pretty sensible, and Nassau Hall talked of the late rebellion
there.2 Thus wore the day. These men both stopped
at Princeton. And the rest of the journey was ridiculous on account of these
Irishmen and the jolting. We arrived so late that I determined it best not to cross
the river tonight.3

1. A village near the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Trenton, named for the
Greek Revival mansion and estate of Nicholas Biddle, which fronted on the river
(Pennsylvania: A Guide to the Keystone State, N.Y.,
1940).

2. In December 1823 a Princeton student was suspended without a hearing and despite
his protestations of innocence for his part in firing off a large cracker. The
undergraduates remonstrated in his favor, but the faculty refused to entertain
their petition. A subsequent indignation meeting led to the suspending of two more
students, and many more then withdrew “out of honor.” Most were “promptly returned
by their parents” (T. J. Wertenbaker, Princeton, 1746–1896,
Princeton, 1946, p. 176–177).

Saturday 14Th.

Up this morning soon after six, and crossed the North river in the ferry boat. The
Irishmen stayed here all night also and the philosopher crossed when I did. He
remained at New York, so that I was in hopes both had taken leave. I met the other
again at Morse’s where I breakfasted, who informed me to my sorrow that he was going
on, being the most disagreable by far of the two. I stayed in New York but about an
hour and a half and had some conversation with Jaques the stagebook keeper, who soon
smoked me and talked about the Presidential election, to fish, I suppose. Another
man came to me and wanted me to take charge of some silver, to Boston as a great
favour, but I treated the man with amazing harshness, as it does trouble me most
exceedingly to have a person come importuning me to become responsible for any thing
merely out of politeness. The poor fellow looked dumpish finding I persevered so I
left him in statu quo.

There were about eight in the stage one of whom I had formerly met at Cambridge
though I was not acquainted with him. He had been studying for admission to the
Freshman Class. His name was Savage, from Philadelphia, a very wild fellow as I soon
had experience.1 Up to all manner of mischief, he
just sat down to quib a man sitting next to him then, a young city shop buck, who
had, as it appeared, come out to some town in Connecticut, on a visit and to dash
about, among his rustic friends. With him was another who appeared not much more or
less than an ass. But very smart sharp { 95 } fellows who evidently had
considerable ideas of themselves. But they repelled Savage so he finally fixed on
our friend the Irishman as the proper person to make extremely ridiculous.

Now it is impossible to conceive an uglier figure than this same man. Dirty to a
great degree, he looked as if he had not undressed himself for three weeks, his face
not washed for a month back. He wore a dirty blue dress, under a large red plaid
cloak, his hair was a rusty black, and long uncombed, his beard full out, his face
very red and very halting in his walk. With a remarkably shrill voice he told us,
many ridiculous pedlar stories, using his brogue to great advantage. As he had been
in that sort of business he was able to divert us by his experiences. Withal he was
very shrewd indeed and could resist with success all the attacks of the student. In fact he retorted with such force as to put him [word omitted] rather to my joy than otherwise because I dislike to
see a person condescend to press down a poor or an ignorant man by his wit, or in
default of that by brass. The laugh being so often turned upon him, galled Savage
to
such a degree that at the approach of night he began a quarrel with him about seats,
of the end of which I was doubtful. But the Irishman got somewhat the upper hand of
him by his cool and collected behaviour. A young man is sure to disgrace himself by
entering into quarrels with his inferiors particularly when he is in the wrong. To
be a quib, No temper should be admitted. We were left alone one stage and Savage
took the back seat. He however retracted so much of his first position as to allow
the Irishman the seat every other stage.

We arrived at New Haven about eleven o’clock, and took supper there, the agreement
of seats was broken up however by the entrance of two characters, whom I was not
able to judge of until the morning. Sufficient to say that I took the whole of the
middle seat and slept well.

1. There is no record of any student named Savage at Harvard in this period.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0002-0015

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-02-15

Sunday 15th.

The weather in the course of night became very bad and it was with great ill will
that once I was forced to get out to hold the horses for the driver. We went on
however pretty comfortably and arrived at Hartford in very good season for
breakfast. The rivers were all very much overflowed and I was somewhat alarmed as
the bridges on this road have occasioned a great many accidents. I breakfasted at
Hartford, and when I came out to look for my trunk to have it put { 96 } on, it was not to be found and I was put into a most tremendous alarm about it. No
one had seen it and I was obliged to conclude it lost. After a moment’s hesitation,
I nevertheless determined to go on as I could only be sure that in case it came I
should get it and if it was stolen it would do me no good to stay. I was seized with
the vapours though, as nothing of the kind had ever happened to me before and I had
become quite negligent respecting it. Nothing was in the trunk of any value to any
one but me. My journal was what I most mourned for, as I had lost an account which
never could be repaired.1

My spirits were amazingly depressed and I felt like knocking down every body in the
stage, this would have been a difficult task as there were eight besides myself. The
light now enabled me to judge of the countenances and appearance of the newcomers.
One who got in last night at New Haven was a rough old sailor who had met with a
more severe misfortune than mine and still by his conduct gave me a lesson of
patience. He had lost his ship, it being seized by the custom house, and was
returning to Boston in the stage for the first time he said, in his life.
Consequently at first he did not well understand the motion or the crowding. He
became in good humour finally and laughed very heartily.

The remaining person who was remarkable in any degree was a man by the name of
Gist, from Baltimore, a middling sized man with a round fat countenance appearing
what he really was, a jolly loquacious animal. Indeed he was talkative to a most
extravagant degree as he did not cease while I was in the stage. The day was rainy
and stormy, and I was horribly blue, made more so by this man, who the more jolly
he
was the more I became angry. This could not last forever though, and I gradually
felt my vexation worn away by the incessant attacks of the old crone. Story
succeeded story and laugh succeeded laugh, he roaring himself to supply any
deficiency in wit of his own. He was withal, a man who of all people was
philanthropic to a great degree. He gave us his plans to benefit mankind, how he was
to make them carriages and pairs and the Lord knows what besides. In fact he was a
“facheux” to a most extravagant degree. Talking, talking, talking, and being good
natured he endured rebuffs and continued talking if it was only to please himself.
He told his stories and delighted in the witty turn which he was enabled to give his
excuses in referring always to the Irishman or the sailor when a joke was related
of
either character. He gave me advice concerning my trunk most gratuitously, and said
it had always been his plan { 97 } to mind his own concerns, then argued
religion with a universalist and so he went.

In the mean time the storm had increased with snow and hail. My nerves having been
in a state of agitation, I felt unwell and stopped at Worcester, lucidly for I was
quite sick in the evening. After which I immediately went to bed being much in need
of rest.

1. This "journal," only temporarily lost at the time, has since been permanently
lost; see the account of CFA’s MS Diaries in the
Introduction.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0002-0016

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-02-16

Monday 16th.

Arose this morning very much refreshed although in very low spirits on account of
the loss of my trunk, for I had been thinking over all my journal and the
destruction of my future plans, of which this book was one. But I was obliged to be
patient. The weather had turned into rain. On coming to breakfast I was again thrown
into the society of my friend Captain Pedrick, and had a better opportunity of
knowing the man than before. The morning was spent at Worcester until the
Springfield stage arrived when the Captain and myself got in to come on. He had come
yesterday in the mail waggon from Hartford and had arrived very tired and having
passed through many dangers of flood and field. He had been tumbled into the water,
in the mud and met with various other accidents which he related in an amusing
manner.

He is a good natured, good hearted man and had born quizzing from my yesterday’s
acquaintance without murmuring. I came near getting into quite a poor business with
him, as I began to be severe upon Mr. Gist’s doctrine of steam boats or carriages
and laughed at his enthusiasm when he checked me suddenly by a serious belief in his
doctrines only that the machinery was not known to Mr. G. as he was not versed in
mechanics. He informed me that there was no difficulty in the affair at all leaving
me to wonder out why it was not put in practice. The former man said that there was
but one difficulty. It would not go, but this man denies that, and although he says
it is of immense advantage to mankind, gives us no reason why it is not instantly
put in use.

This Pedrick is a very odd and amusing character. Enthusiastic in his ideas, he
made himself appear singular. His dress, travelling baggage corresponded. He had
three cloaks in the stage, and mineral specimens in great numbers. He was collecting
a cabinet, for his son or the lord knows who. He said nothing concerning the
establishment of the distillery in St. Petersburgh as I expect he got
discouraged.1 { 98 } But
appeared very much rejoiced at having recovered an old debt sufficient to pay all
his expenses in his journey, which was also unexpected. Mr. Edson of my Senior
Class2 renowned for his piety at College was with
us also. I was in fine humour or at least affected to be.

At length we arrived in Boston and I got out at Earle’s3 with a heart not so light as it might be but still rather
rejoiced at the end of the journey. Took Supper and retired immediately.

Tuesday 17th. [—Thursday 19th.]

Arose this morning [17th] after having spent a very moderately
comfortable night, and made a determination not to come here again. On coming
downstairs, and walking into the bar room I had the exquisite satisfaction of
finding my trunk safely lodged in the corner having come on this morning. This took
off a very great weight from my mind as I had been trying to think of a way to
become a little more clean, not having changed my dress since Philadelphia. Had it
not come I should certainly have been in a quandary for my only plan was to borrow
of George. He was not in town however, therefore I should have been obliged dirty
as
I was to go to Quincy. I immediately ordered the trunk to my room and had the
exquisite satisfaction of finding everything in statu quo. I praised the people of
Connecticut up to the skies, being fully conscious that at the South I should not
have been so fortunate.

I came to breakfast and fell in with a Connecticut man to be sure, being no more or
less than Tudor1 who was staying here for a day or
two previous to reappearance at Cambridge. We had some pleasant conversation
together on the old subjects, and affairs last term. He went to College at twelve
o’clock. I went to Dr. Welsh’s and walked about the town. Not much pleased at seeing
it again. Indeed it is one of the most melancholy looking and feeling places that
I
was ever in. Dined at Dr. Welsh’s and had a great deal of conversation with Miss
Harriet2 on the subject of George and of
Washington in general. In the afternoon I went to Quincy in the Stage. My Uncle had
been in town and went out also. This was the first time I had seen him, many others
were in the stage who were old acquaintances, but I was not very well delighted at
seeing any of them.

At length we arrived and I had to go through the ceremony of saluting all the
family, Mrs. Adams, and all who appeared mighty glad to see
me. Grandfather does not look so well as formerly and keeps his room almost
altogether. Cousin Louisa in deep mourning on account of the death of her
mother—which happened about ten days ago.3 Mrs.
Clark very well, and George appearing in very good spirits. I affronted
Elizabeth4 very much or her mother, by refusing to
open my trunk to night. And made Mrs. C. angry because I had no “little box of the
size of a half dollar” with me which no body had heard of. In fact they were all of
poor humour except George with whom I had a great deal of conversation. Indeed we
kept each other awake until very late at night, talking of the different characters
and things I had seen on my journey.

For the rest, There is but little more to be said. I spent Wednesday [18th] at Quincy in conversation with my Grandfather and George
principally.

And on Thursday [19th], I came back to town, whence, I went to
Cambridge and had the pleasure of meeting all my old companions and occupants of
Lyceum, collected together in the dining room of our house. After the first
salutations, we ventured into conversation, both lively and interesting, inquiring
as usual, how we had spent our vacations and telling stories of our adventures.
Richardson was returned after a sickness which had made every body believe he would
be gone from this world but much to our joy we were disappointed. After dinner I
entered my room, to take possession of it again for a long turn—after a pleasant,
instructive and interesting vacation of about nine weeks.

1. This and the following entries through 15 April are from D/CFA/1, which the
diarist called an “Index.” For a description of CFA’s MS Diaries see the Introduction.

2. CFA’s set of Samuel Johnson’s Works, 12 vols., London,
1823, is in the Stone Library, but he apparently did not own it at this time. See
entry for 17 July, below. Perhaps he read JA’s copy
of Samuel Johnson, The Lives of the Most Eminent English
Poets, London, 1783, which is among JA’s books in the Boston Public Library
(Catalogue of JA’s Library,
p. 131).

6. VI.

1. JQA’s copy of Jeremy Belknap, American Biography, 2 vols.,
Boston, 1794–1798, is in the Stone Library; another copy, published in 1798, is
among JA’s books in the Boston Public Library (Catalogue of JA’s Library, p. 23).

9. VI:5.

1. CFA’s copy of the Odyssey, in the original Greek, Glasgow,
1819, is in the Stone Library, along with numerous other editions and translations
of Homer belonging to JQA. For other editions owned by the family see Catalogue of JQA’s Books, p. 99,
and Catalogue of JA’s
Library, p. 122–123.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0003-0010

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-03-10

10. VI.

1. CFA’s copy of Plutarch’s Lives, in Latin, published in
1620, 2 vols., is in the Stone Library, along with JQA’s three sets of the work in
Latin, French, and English. For JA’s copies in Greek, French, and Latin, see Catalogue of JA’s Library, p.
197–198.

2. Since 1756 the two upper classes at Harvard had given public exhibitions twice a
year, in the spring and fall, of debates, dialogues, and orations, mostly in
English. CFA received no part in the April 1824 performance (Morison, Three Centuries of
Harvard, p. 90; Overseers Records, 10:60–61, Harvard Archives).

15. VI.

1. CFA’s two Latin copies of the Opera of Tacitus, published
in Antwerp in 1668 and in London in 1817, 3 vols., are in the Stone Library, along
with his copy of an English translation of the Annals and
History, London, 1698. JQA’s many editions of Tacitus are in the Stone
Library and in the Boston Athenseum. See Catalogue of JQA’s Books, p. 126–127. For JA’s copies of Tacitus
in the Boston Public Library, see Catalogue of JA’s Library, p. 240–241.

11. VII.

1. Rev. Nathaniel Langdon Frothingham, Harvard 1811, was minister of the First
Church on Chauncey Place, Boston, and an overseer of the college from 1819 to
1850. His wife was the former Ann Gorham Brooks (1797–1863),
who was the sister of CFA’s future wife. See Adams
Genealogy.

2. JQA’s copy of William Roscoe, The Life and Pontificate of Leo
the Tenth, 4 vols., Phila., 1805, is in the Stone Library.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0004-0012

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-04-12

12. VI:15.

1. The Society of the Knights of the Order of the Square Table was the first
Northern festive club at Harvard. (For sectional rivalry within the clubs, see
13 June, below.) Its predecessor was probably the
Knights of the Order of the Pudding Stick, whose history is lost to us, there
being only a fragmentary record remaining in the Harvard Archives. Little is known
of the Knights of the Square Table during CFA’s stay at Harvard, for its own
records are missing (see entry for 22 Oct., below)
and mention of the club in the faculty records appears mostly earlier or later
than CFA’s time, chiefly because the faculty took cognizance of a club only when
its members presented disciplinary problems. For scattered references to the
Knights’ activities, see Records of the College Faculty, volumes 10–11
(1814–1840), Harvard Archives, and also some pamphlets under the club titles,
housed in the Archives. Subsequently the Knights of the Square Table merged with
the more famous Porcellian Club.

[Titlepage]

1. Titlepage for D/CFA/4. For a physical description of CFA’s MS Diaries, see Introduction.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0005-0002

Author: CFA

DateRange: 1824-05-01 - 1825-10-31

[Introduction]

As with this book, I commence a new plan, it will not be inapropriate to my
purpose, to lay down to myself the rules by which I am to be guided, and to define
distinctly my intentions. To this end it will be necessary to notice some of my
present habits, the continuation of which, it was one of the influencing causes with
me to ensure, by this Diary. I have been in the habit for years past of writing a
small Index of events, but as I grow older, I find it by far too narrow to contain
those Ideas, many of which would be valuable to me recorded, as they might serve to
prop, in case of necessity, my virtuous or good intentions. On this account, I shall
prescribe to myself rules for general conduct whenever any occur, which in my mind
will be of any service, although I shall not feel mortified if I do not rigidly
adhere to them. My intention is only to ensure the right bent. A review of my course for a month will enable me at its end to judge
better of myself. This therefore shall be as carefully and impartially done as
possible. It is a custom with me to read portions of some books methodically every
day, but to have one work constantly in hand for study. This last is generally
History of some kind, the others, Poetry, Essays, and light reading in general. The
portions of these that I read, it is intended to review every day and write down any
ideas which may pass my mind in their perusal. As it would be much more trouble and
no more advantage to keep a separate account of the Lectures which I attend, the
idea is given up and every thing which strikes me shall be inserted here, a plan
which appears to me the best I can pursue as it will be well suited to my general
desire of self improvement brought as much as practicable into the same form.

One thing more I have in view, which will appear probably the hardest task of all.
This is, to delineate characters according to the impressions which I receive and
the best of my judgment. Among these will be drawn more particularly, the pictures
of those who are my best friends, and though at times I may be influenced by
momentary feeling, I hope to arrive at a pretty correct conclusion in general.

These four objects are to be pursued which together with the common occurrences of
life will form this book. I am conscious to myself that this plan is of such a kind
that I shall unavoidably be disappointed but at any rate it will serve as amusement
in my leisure hours and what is the great end, Improvement.

1824. Saturday. May 1st. V:30.

Arose, attended Prayers and morning recitation half an hour afterwards. The
interval was spent in looking over my lesson, in Enfield’s Natural Philosophy. We
commence the study of Astronomy this { 107 } morning, which as it is
interesting and instructive, it is my intention to study attentively. I was taken
up
and recited the commencement of the lesson. After recitation Mr. Heyward1 called me up to give me a private admonition from the
Government for levity at Prayers on Friday night. This was deserved but scarcely is
sufficient to correct me. I can feel no seriousness at Prayers and am condemned to
stand there fifteen minutes with nothing whatever to do. In case I am farther
noticed, I shall be compelled to apply for leave of absence altogether. It is a
mockery.

After breakfast, I went to the Post Office and had the exquisite pleasure of
finding a letter for me from John.2 From here I went
to the Reading room to see the News. Nothing remarkable. The A.B. plot in which Mr.
Edwards the Minister to Mexico appears deeply concerned, is making a very great
noise at Washington as it will have considerable influence on the present
question.3 This is all the matter of interest at
present, the excitement being very great. I returned and after reading John’s letter
set myself down to answer it.4 He is in very good
spirits and writes as if he enjoyed himself in all the gaiety, speaks of the A.B.
plot and of all the affairs agitated at present particularly his whispered
attachment to Miss Selden. According to his account the world are determined upon
the match and make him know it and her too. The answer being long employed me about
an hour, and I scribbled a letter very much in the usual way without much in it
which could be amusing. Cambridge is not a place to collect variety for letters.

My next business was to read a play of Moliere’s according to my usual custom.5 The one which came to day was Amphitryon. A sort of a
play taken from the ancient fables and on a subject not the most modest for the
Theatre. The moral is not remarkably good nor does the work recompense us for there
is not much more than a few silly speeches on both sides. And Sosia the servant6 is made the butt of all kicks and jokes of all sorts.
Occasionally a fine sentiment or just observation appears but taking it all in all,
I think it is the worst of his productions which I have yet read. My portion of
Poetry came next and I read some of the short productions of Swift.7 The powers of this man were remarkable for imagery, and
variety. His words appear to come so naturally and yet never out of place. His
application of figures is striking also. He was a singular character. Devoted to a
certain unhappy degree to his eccentricities, he made himself and all around him
unhappy. His conduct to Stella and Vanessa was very shameful. Formerly I was
delighted with the character of a { 108 } misanthrope and used to think
it the greatest of pleasures to rail and complain. But my character in this respect
is changed with the causes that produced it. My unfortunate affair8 and the lonely way in which I used to live brought on this
sort of temper of which I was not cured until the hard study which I imposed upon
myself and the society of some few friends I had made destroyed all my power of
complaint. Character at College changes with circumstances and generally becomes
materially affected if it does not obtain opportunity for developement. Thus I was
employed this morning although the Weather was very fine and I was more than once
tempted to walk or ride. But it changed for the worse after dinner so that I had no
inducement to move out.

Dwight came in and sat with me for an hour conversing on various subjects. Sheafe
was here also. Stackpole9 came in but did not stay
very long. Dwight has been a friend of mine of some standing now and it appears to
me unlikely that we shall have any occasion to divide. His temper is high and
feelings are warm, he excites at almost every thing, and speaks almost always with
remarkable earnestness. His sentiments are just as to himself and more conscious of
his faults than the generality. When convinced he makes endeavours to rectify them.
A hard student because he imagines it his duty, he pursues surely what his object
is; I have been in doubt whether he is ambitious, (by this I mean more than school
boy desire), and am not perfectly decided yet although I am inclined to think he is.
For he has spoken of times of public danger as desirable, an opinion seldom held by
a young man. He is obstinate and prejudiced but in proportion as he advances in
life, this will wear away. He is violent and this will always remain. I like him for
his feelings, ardent as my own. We conversed on the characters of students in
general and after passing sentence on some in particular we went to the Book Store
to lounge a half hour.

When I returned I set down to read a part of Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical History10 which I commenced a short time since. My ideas upon
the subject of the Christian Religion are very vague and have compelled me to this.
The perusal thus far however has not been any more satisfactory and on the contrary
has troubled me more. I read to day a portion commencing with the Second Chapter of
the Second Part of the Thirteenth Century. The corruption of the Clergy had arrived
by this time at a most astonishing height and was vehemently complained of long
before the reformation. It is wonderful to observe the increase of power in the
Popes. The institution appears { 109 } to me the most decidedly politic
which I have ever seen. Men of boldness and of talents, were hereby secured and, as
they all had the same object in view, they all acted in the same way, by this means
avoiding a fault inherent in a monarchical form as there is no continuity ensured
in
the succession, that is, princes come to the throne with opposite views and tempers
by which they defeat each other. The power of the Popes increased very much in this
century by fortunate contests with weak princes. John of England and the Emperor
Frederic were compelled to bow to the superior power of the church. But the
succession of Pontiffs is singularly quick and gives reason to suppose that more
than natural causes hastened their deaths. Of this however there appears little
probability as I have never seen the charge made. The Mendicant Friars arose in this
century, and seem to have been good engines to confirm the Ecclesiastical authority.
Their quarrels, arrogance, and intestine divisions appear among the causes of the
reformation. Literature was at it’s lowest ebb and Roger Bacon appears to be the
only person of real merit in the age.

The doctrines taught in this age show fully the degree of ignorance then prevalent.
Transubstantiation became a leading tenet and auricular confession was approved. Not
without opposition however, unavailing as it might be. Metaphysics were the delight
of all and Words became the fashion of the Universe. More injury was done in these
times to future ages than will probably ever be repaired. Questions have arisen to
rack the brain which are of no use to man and of great disadvantage. Confusion was
made in terms which put fixed ideas to flight and opinion took the place of fixed
truth.

The Greek Church which had long been at variance came to a pretty decided variance
in this age. Superstition which had become so extravagant to support itself was
obliged to have resort to a multiplication of ceremonies among which may be reckoned
those accompanying the sacrament, which were some of the secret springs of the
reformation. The world however was not always quiet and some portion would resist.
The arms of power though had now taken [the] place of those of
persuasion and the Albigenses fell under the stroke. The inquisition was established
and preserved the true faith by fire and the rack. The Christian religion was in
it’s infancy unfortunately exposed to changes which have rendered it impure to a
degree which we cannot tell. Doctrine came upon doctrine and all belief was
swallowed up in an incomprehensible chaos. Religion was made the cloak of the
deepest hypocrisy as it ever will be { 110 }

This closes the Century. I did read a little more but as it is a good division I
shall stop here. I was thus employed in the afternoon and evening. I also wrote a
letter to my Mother in answer to one received some days ago,12 and attended Prayers.

It being early and my duties finished I diverted myself with reading the two first
cantos of Childe Harold.13 The poetry is
exquisitely beautiful and I was delighted. Retiring to bed with feelings perfectly
poetical I only wished that I had been gifted. My feelings sometimes prompt me but
then I think of a poor attempt and am discouraged. X.14

1. James Hayward, Harvard 1819, who served as tutor from 1820 to 1826, was appointed
professor of mathematics and natural philosophy in 1826 (Harvard Quinquennial Cat.).

3. Ninian Edwards (1775–1833) resigned as Senator from Illinois
in 1824 in order to accept Monroe’s appointment as minister to Mexico. Before he
could take up his diplomatic post, however, it was revealed that he had been the
author of “the A.B. papers,” letters which made reckless charges against Secretary
of the Treasury Crawford. Unable to substantiate his accusations, Edwards was
obliged to resign (DAB; JQA, Memoirs, 6:296). The
“present question,” of course, was the presidential succession.

5. CFA’s set of Molière’s OEuvres complètes, 8 vols., Paris,
1821, containing an inscription from George Sheafe, is in the Stone Library, which
also contains several other editions of Molière’s works. JA’s books in the Boston
Public Library contain two copies of Molière’s OEuvres,
1760 and 1784 (Catalogue of JA’s
Library, p. 170).

14. In this volume of his Diary CFA began to indicate the time of his retiring with a
roman numeral. Thus he went to bed at 10 P.M. this
day.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0006-0002

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-05-02

Sunday. May. 2d. VI.

Missed Prayers, but I arose notwithstanding and immediately sat down to my journal
for yesterday which I did not complete until it was time to go to Chapel. We had a
thunder shower this morning which made me averse from going, but on the whole I
determined that I would. Sheafe asked me to go to Mr. Heyward to excuse him which
{ 111 } I did, and was much amused with his manner. He asked me to sit
down but as it was time to go and I wished to drop in to Bartlett’s for a minute I
would not stop. I came to inquire the Dr.’s health after his fatigue and debauch of
Tuesday.1

We went to Chapel and heard as usual Dr. Ware in the Morning and the President in
the afternoon. It is not my intention here to make critiques upon Sermons, as I will
frankly confess I never attend to them. After many trials without success I have
given up the attempt and although I may occasionally make a remark, it is only “en
passant.” I was amused this afternoon with a part of the President’s discourse which
was much in character, for it seemed somewhat disjointed from the rest.

I read today Moliere’s Comedy of "George Dandin." It does not appear to me a good
attempt. In the first place I have the same objection to this that I had to the one
yesterday, it is on a subject altogether improper for the stage. But what is worse,
it takes the immoral side by justifying a faithless woman. The poor man is a fellow
of no spirit but still had nothing in him to deserve this sort of treatment. Family
Pride is well exposed in the Sotenvilles, and perhaps it is good advice to men, not
to marry above their degree. Although this scarcely justifies a woman, even the want
of generosity which he shows and which is awkwardly put in does not suffice. I read
to day Thomson’s Spring, A beautiful poem.2 I have
always been pleased with this, partly from the associations which are connected with
the first perusal, as it was for the first time, that my romantic feelings were
excited at all by reading Poetry. I was not naturally formed a lover of it and it
was only by a concurrence of circumstances that I have become attached to it. My
reading it every day of late has increased this feeling, so that now I could almost
give up every other pursuit. The pleasure of man’s life is increased greatly by it
and he will never repent of his choice.

I continued reading Mosheim this afternoon and Evening and read the history of the
Church during the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries. The crusades which had excited
such immense zeal at first were now finished, as the expense was found to exceed the
good efforts produced. The increase of the Church does not appear to have been very
considerable and was caused not by the original method of persuasion but by force.
The spirit had departed and human nature was left. It is worthwhile to read this
book if it is only to discover the excesses which man will run into. There is
nothing too extravagant for him and nothing too ridiculous. It is not wonderful
therefore to { 112 } find that this religion lost ground in Asia. A more
dazzling one had taken it’s place, a more voluptuous one, and now a more simple one.
Letters had now come to their lowest point of declension and began to rise with some
rapidity at the close of the fifteenth. Aristotle gave way to Plato although it
might have been better had neither ever existed. Disputation was the reigning power,
took the place of reason. Judicial Astrology was now in fashion and ignorance
commanded. The Quarrel between Philip the Fair of France and Boniface which caused
the residence of the the Popes at Avignon was a proof that some kings still had
spirit to resist. These may be considered however as causes of the reformation.
Complaints were breathed forth loudly, and Wickliffe in England raised his voice
against this usurpation. Huss and Jerome of Prague excited the flame by their death.
Indulgences and corruption could be born no farther. Three supreme heads of the
Church at the same time exposed themselves to ridicule and Alexander the Sixth
finished the Climax. The council of Constance and afterwards that of Basil attempted
a reformation but were frustrated by the ambition of the Popes. And the Greek Church
separated for ever from the Latin. Roscoe speaks differently of Alexander and
Savonarola but I am inclined to think him prejudiced in favour of one and against
the other. This finishes the third volume.

Brenan came in, in the Evening and we had some Conversation. He is a pleasant young
man, injured much by circumstances; of a social temper he suffered himself to become
gloomy and suspicious. But he is most to be praised for having subdued his vicious
or dissipated habits and become a studious sensible young man. He is a strong friend
of mine and one <of> whom I shall always think with pleasure.

I read today the third Canto of Childe Harold. Remarks I shall make tomorrow.
Looked over Enfield. IX:30.

2. JQA’s copy of James Thomson’s Works, 3 vols., London,
1788, is in the Stone Library, as is a set of Thomson’s Poetical
Works, London, 1786. But CFA probably read the selections printed in Aikin’s British Poets; see entry
for 6 May, below.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0006-0003

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-05-03

Monday. May. 3d. V:40.

Arose and after looking over the lesson in Astronomy, attended Prayers and
recitation immediately afterwards. Mr. Heyward shows himself to some advantage in
this study. He certainly appears to know much more of the branch than usual. It is
said he is writing a book. I was employed an hour in writing my Journal and some
time in { 113 } studying a Spanish lesson to recite to Mr. Sales1 at half past nine o’clock. This is generally made a
farce but I am inclined to learn it and although the disposition of the hours is not
good and my application is not excessive, I hope in time to acquire an
understanding. He is a good instructor and a pleasant man, hardly fitted for his
situation here as he is too mild. And Students, boys as they are, take advantage of
it. The fact is, I think that this institution is not a University yet. Children are
admitted here and make fools of themselves, are ruined by the love of dissipation
which they acquire and dazzled by the glare which accompanies it.

I returned home and read the Summer of Thomson. This abounds in beautiful imagery,
and a diversity of description which is extremely pleasing. Some very soft and
touching parts and one voluptuous description, that of Musidora.2 But a characteristic of this poet is that he is chaste in
his language and ideas to a degree not equalled by scarcely any of our other
authors. This not being their forte by any means. It was my desire to obtain this
book3 a month ago in order that I might notice
some of the poetry which I have read in that time and give some account of the
lectures I attended, but as it was not ready, I was disappointed.

I attended a lecture at eleven o’clock from Professor Farrar in Natural Philosophy,
on the subject of Opticks and Vision. The weather being cloudy he could give us no
experiements and confined himself to the account of the theories of light and
colour. The ancients appear to have had a very indistinct conception of the cause
of
colour and remained in a state of ignorance until Newton discovered the real cause
of the rainbow. The Lecturer has an easy manner and is quite agreable as there
appears to be no effort. Newton made his most important discovery at the age of 23,
and had the moderation or as Farrar called it, the continence to keep it to himself
for six years. But the principal part of today’s lecture was a description of the
eye and it’s properties. Most of which was very simple and not entertaining as we
have so lately been over the very same account in Enfield.

After dinner I went to the College library to return my books and spent an hour
there in looking over a volume of plates showing the eruptions of volcanic mountains
and the sorts of lava which are sent forth. Farrar in treating of Earthquakes the
other day showed them to us but at such a distance that I was unable to see them and
therefore determined to see them today. The collection is a very valuable one. I
returned home and read Moliere’s Comedy of the “Avare.” Some parts of which are
admirable but I think it liable to the objection { 114 } of a plot too
intricate. The connection depends upon two marriages and thereby requires some
attention. The mistake of the fille and cassette is carried too far as he being
naturally suspicious could not misinterpret his language so far. He has also dropped
his character in some places for it would be hardly expected that a man so amazingly
parsimonious would keep such a multitude of servants, or would talk of engraving in
letters of gold or would keep horses however he might starve them. This certainly
would not be the character of the English Miser. The last scene is quite happy and
shows him very much in character. On the whole I was very much pleased by the
perusal.

As this afternoon’s lesson was the last in Greek I determined not to attend it and
read the fourth and last Canto of Childe Harold. Byron is truely a great poet. His
power lays in greatness of thought and masterly expression. He has that remarkable
gift of compressing an immensity of feeling in a very few words. Laying character
full in our view by a striking turn of expression and condensing passion in a
breath. While you read him, you feel exalted and arise with a melancholy but
delightful pleasure. I have not felt so strongly before since the time of my
melancholy days. I also read an article in the last number of the Edinburgh review
on the Lyrical Poetry of Spain, but was not much interested by it.4 There are one or two happy things in it but generally not
much to my taste. I think the Spanish language sweet and not enough appreciated but
ballads and canzonettas which are sweet in their language can seldom bear even the
best translation.

I could not read any of Mosheim today as I had no volumes out. So having nothing to
do I spent the Evening at Otis’s room. We had a great deal of conversation on
Washington manners, the Presidency and so forth. I continued here till late so that
I could but just examine Dr. Reid’s opinion on our next forensic question5 and read over Astronomy before I retired. IX:30.

5. There is a copy of Thomas Reid’s Works, 3 vols., N.Y.,
1822, in the Stone Library.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0006-0004

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-05-04

Tuesday. May 4th. V:15.

Arose and after reexamining my lesson in Astronomy, attended Prayers and
recitation. Mr. H. came up to me and the bell rung so I was saved. Returning home
I
found a letter for me from my Mother. She appears to be in bad health and writes as
if under the influence { 115 } of irritated feelings. There was some
excellent advice concerning style which I intend to pursue as it agrees with my
ideas and intentions. Translation is an excellent plan to increase one’s
acquaintance with language; I had selected the life of Agricola as an exercise for
next Vacation, being very much pleased when I lately read it. I was employed one
hour writing my Journal. Went to the Library for my books, from thence to the
Reading room. No News consequently came home and read Thomson’s Autumn. A pleasing
Poem. But in reading it, I could not help smiling at it’s romantic visions and at
the close I thought his plan of unambitious retirement an admirable one if Man was
formed of a different mould. The author himself was seeking fame and obtained it by
his Poems, but it would be a difficult matter for the world to see it exclusive
here. No, there is a feeling in the breast of every man which destroys this
happiness, it is very well to dream of and no more. Life would not be supportable
at
it’s commencement if so many of these images did not present themselves and Youth
is
unmindful, persevering in that Search after happiness, the great end of human life
although Ages before have done the same without success. I read also, Moliere’s
Comedy of Monsieur de Pourceaugnac. The great fault with all his plays seems to be
that he is not careful enough of the moral introducing cheats and scoundrels
succeeding in plans hardly faulty in themselves. Not that I am attached to the
English fashion of ranting about virtue and every thing of that sort, but as I like
to see vice discouraged without puffing virtue. Sentimentalism is ridiculous, Cant
much worse but immoral freedoms are far the most dangerous. The immoral tendency of
books is often urged and to the most fascinating books the most frequently; those
which draw Nature are generally the most objected to, which to a sensible mind must
bring an irresistible conclusion that we act viciously. Purity of motive certainly
is not universal. This will have no effect on the actions of the enlightened but it
discovers truth to the ignorant and that of a kind to deprave them, consequently it
is injurious. These who have acquired a little tincture of knowledge are the most
dangerous to themselves and to society.

At eleven o’clock, I went to Lecture. Mr. Farrar intended to have given us some
experiments on light and colour but the rays of the sun were not powerful enough
today. He therefore confined himself to an explanation of the different instruments
used for increasing the appearance of small objects. We are more indebted to light
for our happiness whatever it is than to any other natural production. It is the
origin of all the beautiful colours which are so delightful to the { 116 } eye and of heat which is life. He explained to us the various forms of the
microscope in which objects are magnified to different degrees. Also the Camera
Obscura and the Magic Lanthorn. Of the former he gave us a specimen by fixing a
glass on a hole in a window shutter and reflecting the images on a white screen.
They appeared inverted and indistinct on account of the want of the Sun. I saw the
Church however and the Lyceum very well. The weather was so cloudy that the
experiments on the colours of the rainbow could not be performed. They were
therefore delayed.

After dinner, the weather being delightful I shut my blinds and began Mosheim very
nobly again. With the fourth volume he begins the history of the reformation, and
makes a new division in his plan. He still continues his system of centuries, and
now writes the sixteenth. The restoration of learning which was fast increasing, had
a bad effect on the church. It opened men’s eyes to the superstitions and scandalous
corruptions which were carried on by the monks and exposed the actors to ridicule.
Mosheim is as severe upon the Popes as Roscoe is lenient, he charges Julius with
being the fury of the age as he was continually exciting animosities and delighted
in war. He would have been a great man had Fortune made him a General instead of a
Pope. The avarice and extortion of the clergy had reached an intolerable height, the
Catholics themselves wished for a council to reform the Church and many of them were
inclined to change upon seeing the ineffectual attempts of the various councils
rendered abortive by the influence of the Popes who feared the destruction of their
power and preferred the division of the Christian Church. An anecdote is here
related concerning the Dominican Friars far surpassing in wickedness any thing I
have yet seen and proves satisfactorily that such a state of depression cannot have
been endured any longer. Luther, Melancthon and Zwinglius rose at the same time to
oppose this and succeeded. Mosheim is evidently partial to Luther, although he gives
a very fair account generally speaking of the reformation. Violence appears to have
been Luther’s character which was well qualified by the mildness of his colleague.
This was fortunate as the one could resist with boldness while the other could
persuade. Many fortunate circumstances assisted this great change. The state of
Europe, the rivalry of Charles and Francis and the character of Henry destroyed any
idea which could have been at another time acted upon, that of a crusade. This step
had a good effect even upon the Catholic religion for to preserve the remainder of
their power they were obliged to form good institutions and to drop all the
extravagant demands { 117 } which they formerly supported. The sect or
order of the Jesuits was founded by Ignatius Loyola to support the Pope and have
been one of the greatest bulwarks which could have been formed for him. The talent,
the order, and the obedience of these men has been astonishing, their perseverance
and success. But Men will overreach themselves and so did these.

There being a Greek review this afternoon I did not have a lesson, was therefore
enabled to make considerable progress. Though I did not make much of an appearance
to Dr. Popkin.1 After recitation I went to
Howard’s2 room and spent half an hour with him as
I understand that he is offended with my neglect. It galls me much to see young men
so formal as this. I have no objection to a certain degree of it but farther is
foolish. This young man is a very weak head so I pardon him and as he is of an
excellent nature I continue his acquaintance. After some uninteresting conversation
on Anatomy which he is studying or attempting I left him thankful that my
acquaintance was not of a more intimate kind.

A lounge at the bookstore until Prayers passed off the time and talk with Brenan.
Prayers being over, I returned home, finished my portion of Mosheim and at eight
o’clock attended Farrar’s Lecture on the Magic Lanthorn. The first part was quite
a
Juvenile Exhibition but the latter illustrated the constellations and the different
phases of the Moon very simply and well. After Lecture which detained us until nine
almost, Numbers of Visiters at the house. I went to Sheafe’s and spent an hour but
could not drink any of the Wine offered me. I think the late satiety has had a good
effect upon me as it has very much destroyed my taste for these things. We sung some
songs and made some noise which was [ . . . ]3 however
by the room upstairs where there was an entertainment. Rundlet and Lothrop were at
Sheafe’s and I was kept till ten and just looked over Astronomy. X:15.

1. John Snelling Popkin, Harvard 1792, was professor of Greek from 1815 to 1826 and
Eliot professor of Greek literature from 1826 to 1833 (Harvard Quinquennial Cat.).

Wednesday May 5th. V:45.

Arose and after a very slight review of my lesson attended Prayers and recitation.
Fortunately I was not called upon. After recitation I was employed till ten o’clock
writing my journal, therefore was unable to attend Mr. Sales’ Spanish recitation.
I
then read Thomson’s Winter thereby concluding the Seasons. This last I think the
finest of the { 118 } whole, as it excels from the superiority of
sentiment and a nearer approach to sublimity. He shows himself a man of taste and
makes many very just observations concerning study which are only liable to the
objection mentioned yesterday. I then read Moliere’s Play of the “Amants
Magnifiques” finishing the fifth volume of his works. There is not much plot or
incident in it and appears to have been made merely as a “divertissement” for the
king who condescended to take the part of a God and speak very highly of himself.
There is considerable wit displayed in the character of Clitidas who in fact is the
spring of the whole action. I was thus employed all the morning attending also a
lecture from Mr. Farrar. The sun still denied his beams consequently no experiments
could be performed. The students have become so tired of the course that they stay
away when there are no experiments. For my part I always attend not only for the
acquisition of knowledge but because I make no difference between voluntary and
involuntary exercises. I have gained a great deal also by my attendance. Young men
are very apt to assume a great deal as known which they have only a very superficial
acquaintance with. And I should always distrust him when he said “he knew every
thing before.” This however is common language with these lectures. He treated today
of the construction of telescopes explaining to us the Newtonian, Galilean,
Gregorian, and others. He has an admirable manner of telling an anecdote so that he
renders parts even of a dry subject quite amusing. His history of this machine’s
discovery was very well managed for effect. It is a wonderful machine and has been
of very great utility to the world. By it we have gained the knowledge of the system
by which we go and which is doubtless the true one, we have assisted navigation and
enlightened the mind. Perhaps Astronomy has done more for this than any Science
which has yet been pursued, and to me the knowledge of mathematics appears desirable
only as it is subservient to this pursuit. After dinner although the weather was
quite cold and unpleasant I took a warm bath. The regulations are only to admit on
Wednesdays and Saturdays, consequently I was obliged to go today or else delay until
Saturday at the risk of not having any better weather even then.

I did not progress as much as I expected in Mosheim owing to interruptions by Tudor
and Richardson but nevertheless read somewhat over one hundred pages, principally
on
the state of the different churches, the Roman, the Greek and the Lutheran. The
friars multiplied very much to form a stronger barrier against the reformers. There
could not have been formed in the comprehension of man a { 119 } better
system for the obtainment of power. Using the most tremendous engine over men’s
minds and working for the same end at the same time over all the world it is not
surprizing that the power they obtained was so great. Even now the church of Rome
would be nothing were it not for it’s emissaries who keep so sharp a look out,
confirm the wavering by threats, and continue the faithful firm by promises. The
state of learning was rapidly improving by reason of this reformation. The study
which was made necessary to become a disputant, increased knowledge and the
emulation caused inquiries which in the ancient state of things would not have been
thought necessary. The council of Trent was rendered a mere form by the activity of
the popes, whom the Author takes care to call bishops always.
The catholics finding themselves likely to be abandoned formed the famous index of
heretical books and suppressed the translations of the bible which is too much of
a
tacit confession of the weakness of their faith. One remark there is so striking
concerning mankind that I shall insert it in my Common Place Book1 as very remarkable and very true. Mosheim is not perfectly
standard however in his account of the Lutherans as we are frequently warned in the
notes by his translator. Divisions will exist among all men as no two ever thought
perfectly alike on a subject at least I believe this. No sooner had the protestants
become a sect than they divided into inferior ones which now have independent
governments. The state of ignorance of the Greek Church was excessive at this
period, their licentiousness still greater. Subject to a foreign prince they have
suffered and still continue to suffer the most harsh treatment.

I spent the evening partly in writing my forensic for tomorrow on the subject of
predestination and partly in arguing on this subject at Sheafe’s where Brenan and
Fay2 were visiting. Otis argued against me but
with so little of reasoning and so much positive assertion without attempt at proof
that I was disgusted. At some future time when I have leisure I shall give a
character of this young man. I have written one on separate paper already but it
does not satisfy me. Looked over the Astronomy lesson. IX:20.

1. On 12 March 1822 CFA had begun making entries in his literary commonplace book, a
bound, blank notebook containing 382 pages, with a printed titlepage, A Common Place Book, upon the Plan Recommended and Practised by
John Locke, Esq., Boston: Published by Cummings and Hilliard, 1821
(M/CFA/18, Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 312).
On the flyleaf, along with his name, he inscribed a quotation from Montesquieu:
“Il ne s’agit de faire lire, mais de faire penser.” The first forty-five pages of
the book form a rather skimpy subject index to the quotations which follow. The
extracts themselves are chiefly from books which CFA mentions in his Diary.
Perhaps one might { 120 } take as the theme of CFA’s anthology his
quotation from Disraeli (p. 36): “What is youth but a sketch—a brief hour of
principles unsettled, passions unrestrained, powers undeveloped, and purposes
unexecuted.” With equal justice, however, one might see in it an attempt to live
up to JQA’s definition of genius (p. 56): “If there is one faculty of Genius more
prominent than another, it is the persevering endurance of intellectual labour.”
For, though haphazard and miscellaneous, the commonplace book entries do indicate
how much CFA read and how seriously he took his reading. For further information
on Locke’s commonplace book, see JA, Diary and Autobiography, 1:47, note.

Thursday. May 6th. V.

Spent an hour this morning studying my Astronomy lesson, then attended Prayers and
recitation, had the happiness of being called upon first which is a very great
relief, after which I employed myself writing my Journal which takes me some time.
I
read for my portion of Poetry for today Thomson’s Castle of Indolence. A very sweet
thing. I have become almost altogether attached to that sort of stanza. There is
something so smooth in it. It is peculiarly well adapted to his subject and the tone
of his style is such as to convey almost the very feeling which he is describing.
His sentiments are just and his description of the evil consequences attending
indolence, is such as would destroy the effect of the commencement. His description
is exquisitely simple although I have not perceived the ludicrous appearance which
Dr. Aikin mentions in the preface. In fact I do not know whether I should not
hesitate to which of his productions I should give the palm. Blank verse although
good for sublime subjects, does not on the whole convey so much feeling to me as
rhyme. On examining Dr. Johnson’s life of Milton I find my opinion supported by him
who says that where the subject is not able to support itself blank verse can never
be used with advantage, and that though we may [be] astonished at
the power we shall only be pleased with rhyme. Thomson supports his subject well,
but it requires more exertion to read that sort of versification and admits of fewer
rests not having the advantage of stanzas. I have been very much pleased however by
the whole of this author which I have yet read. At a little after ten o’clock, I
attended the forensic disputation, “Whether prescience be consistent with human
liberty” of which I had the negative to support, which agreed with my opinion. The
arguments were very similar throughout, the other side however did not make as much
of the case as in my opinion could have been done. We were here as usual two hours.
Mr. Hedge1 decided the case as far as it is worded
in our favour although he did not deny human liberty altogether. It is an
incomprehensible and irreconciliable ques• { 121 } tion so that I intend
never to consider it again, if possible to avoid it. My mind has been made up, as
I
believe it to be the only course for a man to pursue in argument that when he
becomes too inquisitive he should check himself and retire. His next subject is a
philological one as it treats of languages. I went and paid a visit to Fisher’s2 room of a few minutes where we had some conversation
concerning our old Carolina classmates, but the Dinner bell ringing I was called
home.

I was not able to read as much of Mosheim today as I intended owing to a visit from
Tudor and Wheatland, of almost two hours after dinner and one from Howard of half
an
hour after the Greek review. I have not appeared very well in these and find I know
less of Homer than I thought. Howard was stupid and sleepy, threw all the labour of
amusing him upon me which was more than I could do. Indeed I wished him many times
any where else. He is one of those men with whom I can have no common subjects of
conversation. I cannot talk to him of women for I know none, nor of men for they do
not interest him nor of College affairs for he considers himself above them, nor of
books for he knows nothing of them, at least of any of those with which I have any
acquaintance. I was thankful when the bell called us to Prayers. From these causes
it was not till very late that I read Moliere. The play today was the “Bourgeois
Gentilhomme.” An admirable production although I can imagine how much more pleasant
it would be in representation. The folly of Monsieur Jourdain so natural to a weak
head and large fortune, and the violence of his wife are very well contrasted. He
resorts however to his old system of cheating a marriage, being extremely unwilling
to use any other means. Servants are the acting class and they are the very persons
who would most willingly receive these impressions.

I read over one hundred pages of Mosheim principally concerning the differences
between Luther, Melancthon, Zwinglius and Calvin, the leaders of the reformed
churches. The author does not perform the part of an impartial historian in this
account. Nature is such that it can bear no contradiction in this most important
part. We all wish to believe our doctrine the most acceptable and consequently wish
that others would embrace yours [i.e.
ours] or at least not arrogate to theirs the same. What seems reasonable in
us appears very much the contrary in others. This I think is the origin of all the
persecutions which have been continued ever since the origin of our religion. The
account of these differences although they explain the doctrines of the separate
parties are only of importance to the Minister or Theological student as I have no
interest in learning the shades of distinction. { 122 } My end being only
to obtain and facts and learn their causes in human nature.3 “The study of mankind is man.” Thus did the Evening pass
and after studying or rather merely reading over Astronomy I retired to bed.
IX:30.

1. Levi Hedge, Harvard 1792, who served as professor of logic and metaphysics from
1810 to 1827, later became Alford professor of natural religion, moral philosophy,
and civil polity (Harvard Quinquennial
Cat.).

3. CFA undoubtedly meant: “My end being only to obtain the facts and learn their
causes in human nature.”

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0006-0007

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-05-07

Friday. May 7th. V:20.

Arose and after reading over Astronomy, attended Prayers and recitation after which
I wrote my Journal and attended a recitation to Mr. Sales the study of which
employed me nearly all the morning. Having but just time to read three parts of
Thomson’s Liberty. This is a dull heavy poem, written in that sort of measure which
is the worst adapted to common use for although we sometimes unconsciously speak in
it, still this makes the attempt more difficult, for we are only prompted to it by
highly exalted feelings. There is nevertheless some evidence of talent and some of
those expressions which I spoke of formerly as the peculiarity of Byron. His
reflections are sometimes just but we cannot entirely approve a poem with no action
unless as is the case with Childe Harold the ideas are supported uniformly in the
same strain. It was not without pain that I got through. Perhaps on a second reading
I shall relish it more.

It being a very rainy day I did not expect that we should have a lecture; this was
the case however. Mr. Farrar treated today of several phenomena in Opticks the names
of which I did not distinctly hear. The first was concerning an appearance which
often is seen in the Eastern countries by which an image of an object is formed
inverted over the object, itself.1 Also that in the
deserts of Arabia and Africa, the appearance of a lake always obstructs the passage
of travellers who imagine it to lie between them and their journey’s end, the same
behind. This accounted for by the excessive heat which forms a stratum of
excessively rarified air which is close to the earth and performs the part of a
speculum. So that rays which strike under a certain angle are reflected and form an
image on the opposite side. Two or three phenomena of less importance such as the
formation of images of places on water at some distance and the story of the man in
the isle of Bourbon. Lastly he came to the Aurora Borealis of { 123 } which he gave a very interesting account. Its appearance, attending noise, and
uniform attachment to the poles. No satisfactory explanation has yet been given,
although one as near as possible has been proposed by a Mr. Dalton2 I believe, that at the pole the earth is bound with ice in
such a way as to contain the electric fluid and stop its passage into the earth, and
that occasionally it is drawn out and passes off through the air by the influence
of
particles of iron in the air. I see no use of this latter as air is a Conductor to
take off all the surplus which may be contained in this ice. Ice is a conductor
until it is exposed to a certain degree of cold when it is used for electrical
purposes almost as well as glass.

I attended Declamation, the last Division of the Senior Class made their last
appearance, and I carried a piece for approval. A very singular affair took place
which has caused some noise. The expulsion of two students, Potter and Barry,
Sophomores.3 The cause was just enough. It appears
he had brought a lady out of town and was found by Hayward sleeping with her. Barry
was expelled for being in the room. The government could act in no other way. Such
an affair had not happened before for many years. It is a great scandal to the
College. Hening,4 another of the same class, was
dismissed yesterday, cause not known. Supposed to be general conduct. The rest of
the afternoon was spent in reading Mosheim and finishing the fourth volume, besides
reading the “Fourberies de Scapin” of Moliere. This is an extremely amusing play as
it shows the ways of an accomplished cheat. But it lays the most open to the usual
objection, of all his plays. While we admire his ingenuity and his wit it is
impossible not to damn the moral. I am not a very moral man
but I do not think that these things should dazzle the eyes of the common
people.

Not much is to be said of Mosheim as I am in the middle of very dull accounts of
doctrine. Calvin with all his good qualities had counterbalancing faults and has
left sentiments among his partisans which do him no honour. The weaknesses of Nature
are fully portrayed in this account of the various sects as we find no opinion too
absurd not to be embraced by some—the most extravagant obtaining most extensively.
The horrible lengths of the Anabaptists were not disgusting to the sect although it
became more wise by persecution from the others. There is an interesting account of
Socinianism which I wished to read in order to know the sentiments of that sect
which is now very extensively embraced around here and of which this Institution is
the source. They seem to be more innocent in their intentions than any of the
others. These divided much as they do now showing the { 124 } inclination
of men to go from one doctrine of a mild sort to a bolder until they come to no
belief at all.

I attended Prayers was afterwards caught in a thunder shower so that I was obliged
to stay from home and neglect my lesson. Being engaged all the Evening at a meeting
of the Knights of the Square Table at Chapman’s room. It is a festive club and quite
a large Meeting. After staying there till ten we followed the Pierian Sodality5 who were serenading all round, the night being a fine
one. Returning home late I found it impossible to study so I went directly to bed
having enjoyed myself very much. XI:45.

1. CFA, probably at a later period, penciled the word “Mirage” in the margin.

5. Little is known of this singing club except that it was begun in 1808, combined
with the equally obscure “Anacreontics” in 1819, and later spawned a glee club.
GWA was president of the group in 1820, but CFA never joined. See Catalogue . . . of the Pierian Sodality of Harvard
University, Cambridge, 1832, Harvard Archives, and Morison, Three Centuries of Harvard, p. 201.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0006-0008

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-05-08

Saturday. May. 8th. VII:30.

Owing to my being up so late last night I did not arise quite so early this morning
and therefore missed Prayers and recitation in Enfield. I immediately sat down to
write my Journal for the preceding day. There being no Exercises after the Morning,
I had it for leisure time and read in it the fourth part of “Liberty” and Moliere’s
tragicomedy of Psyche. Of the first I can say but little more than I did yesterday
except that I like it a little better. Some fine sentiments and just observations
and occasionally quite a bright passage. This is too severely criticised by a very
few words in Dr. Johnson’s life of him, saying that when it came out he had not been
able to get through it and he never should. It is not a subject or a title to please
him very much. Psyche is rather a representation drama than a reading comedy. There
is great room for scenery and beautiful women. The Gods being the principal actors,
the whole goes by machinery. I could imagine the effect of it
on the stage but I should not incline to read it again. La Fontaine has written a
beautiful little story on this subject which although considered by Roscoe as a
failure, I beg leave to differ, and think well of. I am not a judge but I recollect
being very much pleased in reading it.

I received also a very good letter from John1 in
which he tells me his disappointment in a party to Mount Vernon in a very amusing
{ 125 } way. Thus was I occupied all the morning, so constantly that I
could but just steal ten minutes before dinner to go to the reading room. Not much
news. The memorial of Mr. Edwards is printed and makes considerable noise.2 I think Monsieur’s chance is gradually improving. This
affair may assist Crawford materially however. Each man to his turn however to clear
up these accusations. My father has been through the ordeal with success. Let others
go on also. The Boston party of republicans are very rash and headstrong, attacking
the federalists, like fools. Had they been more moderate, they would have had much
less opposition to their measures.

The members of the house were all absent today except Tudor and myself, so we dined
alone. After dinner my time was most egregiously wasted but not voluntarily, for
Tudor was here one hour and a half and after him Brenan for another hour so that at
four o’clock I had accomplished very little. Tudor then insisted upon a walk to the
bookstore which I had promised, so that I went and lounged there sometime. We had
intended to ride but changed our minds when the wind rose—the roads also were not
sufficiently good. I returned home at a quarter past five but could do nothing owing
to Tudor and Wheatland and Sheafe until we attended Prayers.

I read only about one hundred pages of Mosheim all day. It treated of the
commencement of the seventeenth Century, and has become less interesting to me as
it
comes to more known ages. The system of Missions was commenced and carried on in
this century. The Catholics adopting the measure. The Jesuits acting a conspicuous
part in these scenes. This sect became terrible as it obtained power and as it was
under the influence of no moral restraint could affect even the Pope himself. They
became hated and persecuted in some kingdoms and it has now become so proverbial
that Jesuitical signifies to the world generally, every thing that is bad. I am not
inclined to be so quick in condemning them in America, as historians speak of the
Paraguay missions as models for the peaceful civilization of the Indians. I have
never been able to make up my mind concerning the efficacy of proselytism, and less
concerning the expediency of talking so arrogantly about our religion—“the light of
the divine ray,” “benighted regions,” are the expressions of almost all Christians.
They believe themselves to be right and are so without doubt to us. But if there was
no doubt in the minds of pagans they would all embrace our religion upon perceiving
its truth that is to say immediately. And it would be unnecessary to make converts
by fraudulent means or to make any exertion by missionaries. Let this divine truth
act for itself. { 126 } Perhaps if we inquire rigidly into the matter we
shall find that these rays were not introduced so as to convince, for even the most
pious allow that had not the religion been a remarkably good political system it
would not have obtained so general an acceptation. If the religion is one so
convincing why make so violent exertions in its favour, if not it is not worthwhile
to spread it. I have nothing more to notice except the great spread of philosophy.
This being the age of Gassendi, Descartes, Bacon, Galileo and Newton.

I have to blame myself this afternoon for becoming too angry in a conversation with
Tudor. My position was right for he was exercising most intolerable arrogance over
Sheafe but I was wrong in becoming angry. My passions are not things I know to be
trifled for if excited to a very high degree it might cost my antagonist and myself
our life. I have not been in a passion since my unfortunate affair with
Fessenden.3 I governed myself very well finally
and walked to Prayers with Tudor in very good terms. In the Evening I walked with
Dwight with some delightful conversation. On returning I wrote a letter to Mother
in
rather a plaintive tone being somewhat affected by an expression in hers.4 This detained me awake until late. XI:20.

Sunday. May. 9th. VII:20.

Arose very late this morning after having missed Prayers. The late hour at which I
retired last night and the only time we have for indulgence had their effect in
detaining me. This circumstance however put me woefully back in my day’s business.
My Journal not being finished until it was time to attend Chapel. Indeed I find that
the duties I have set upon myself too difficult as they give me not a moment of
leisure time during the day. Unavoidable circumstances and occurrences delay my
progress and make me unsatisfied with myself. Indeed this accumulation of duties has
happened by accident as I commenced two long works before I received this
Journal1 for which I had made no allowance. Things
being so however I shall persevere, as but little more is left. I can not bear to
give way in a plan as it diminishes my self esteem and injures future resolutions.
The precedent is the thing to be feared and not the step.

I concluded the poem of Liberty and with a few other small poems, { 127 } finished the Sixth Volume of the Poets. Whatever I may intend to read over,
certainly this is not one as I imagine there is not enough temptation. Of his small
poems I noticed some very remarkable. “Les Femmes Savantes” came to my assistance
and amused me very much. A severe caricature upon the Blue stockings but perhaps not
altogether so incorrect as might be supposed. A learned lady is a suspicious
personage for it naturally makes a person suppose that wanting the employment which
is the lot of the sex in general, she is obliged to resort to books as a relief from
ennui. This is all well enough if no noise be made about it. Pity, respect and
esteem, would arise in case such a matter were but suspected and one had no room to
go further. They are a talking set though and cannot conceal the pride of
superiority in any respect.

I attended Chapel and heard Dr. Ware in the morning and Mr. Colman2 in the afternoon. The former was uncommonly long this
morning, creating a smile throughout the Student seats upon his sixthly and lastly.
This is not the fault of the old gentleman generally however. The latter person
preaches here but seldom and is generally considered fearfully having dosed us at
times. He was short however today, and although I did not think his Sermon
extraordinary, I was quite pleased with the variety of his imagery and the strength
of his expression. The seats are no places however to attend to a Preacher with
Patience. I sometimes think it would be the worst penance a Student could be put to,
if he were set there for any length of time. An anthem was sung but not very much
to
my taste as it appears to me that they howl more than formerly, having lost the good
way of singing, they formerly possessed. I came away rejoiced as probably it is the
last Sunday, I attend this Term.

I could not touch Mosheim until late in the Evening owing partly to my being
obliged to answer the letter received yesterday from John which took some time; as
he writes full letters I consider myself compelled to answer in the same style
whether I possess material or not.3 I principally
amused him today with an account of the late expulsion. The other cause which
detained me was a visit from Tudor and Richardson in the Evening. I must confess
that finding myself so much interrupted by the visits and parties of the Students,
I
have been seriously considering the expediency of obtaining some other room next
year. Were it not that it would be inconvenient to me on account of my books, the
great superiority of accommodations, I think I should be decided in favour of this
step. Whatever the pleasure may be, I am conscious of a higher end in coming here
than amusement. My temper { 128 } is naturally jovial and is liable
therefore to be exposed to temptations which would make me extravagant and
dissipated. My conversation with Richardson was not of a nature to soften these
feelings in the least. He is the most irritating young man in his manners that I
ever met with and that so unconsciously that one becomes the more provoked because
he can blame him less. A perfect facheux with as good a disposition as I have seen.
Weak however as possible he seldom knows when he is straining most the feelings of
his companions. He bears me astonishingly. I am conscious of my arrogance towards
him and wish I could correct him or me, but it is no affair of mine and talking with
him always makes me feel humbled.

They stayed until eight o’clock so that I could read but fifty pages of Mosheim
this day. The Catholic religion gained ground in this Century by a reaction and many
princes were reconverted perhaps more from policy than belief. These princes also
commenced their system of persecution. The Moors, the Huguenots and the Germans
suffered from the effects of this bigotry which returned upon themselves with
tenfold injury. Spain has never recovered the step taken at that time for the
industrious portion of the people were expelled. The power of the popes and their
direction of temporal affairs was no longer tolerated, it became what was first
intended, merely acting over spiritual matters and even those in a moderate degree.
They could no more pretend to the supreme dominion over the world.

Having copied an extract into my Common Place Book, I went up and spent some time
at Wheatland’s room, all the Lyceum were collected there. Payne and Lunt,4 Seniors, and Day a Yale Student5 were also there. After being amused at some stories some of
which were excessively blasphemous I came away. I was rather ashamed so having read
Enfield, retired. X:15.

Monday. May. 10th. V:15.

Arose and after again looking over my Astronomy attended Prayers. Did the same
between Prayers and recitation it being our turn to go in last. My Journal being
thus delayed could scarcely command enough time to day. I spent all the leisure part
of the morning upon it which to be sure is not much as I was employed learning and
reciting my Spanish lesson. Mr. Farrar’s Lecture takes up more than an hour a { 129 } day. Today he exhibited to us a solar microscope and tried some
experiments with it. The day was not a good one for although it was clear, the wind
was high and shook the mirror very much. The magnifying power though was astonishing
exhibiting the finest fibres of a small portion of the finest of animals that is to
say the most delicate. The lecture was a beautiful one and drew a much larger
audience than usual although the students could not avoid showing their boyish
propensities. The darkness of the room made a return of light very painful and I
walked home with my eyes shut.

Entering my room, I found to my no small surprise, my brother George sitting here.
He had come with my Uncle from Quincy and was going to Boston. As it was the second
time I had seen him only, I fell immediately to talking of every subject which I had
been asking him in my mind for some time. I have been to town to see him but it is
impossible to find him there. Having talked of Washington and Quincy for some time,
My Uncle came in and arranged accounts between himself and me, treating me very
generously. I like very much some of this man’s qualities and am sorry that I have
been at times so violent but my patience has been so severely tasked at times when
my character for credit was less established that I could not help bursting out.
They left me at dinner time.

The afternoon was spent in reading some pieces of Ambrose Phillips particularly his
translation of Sappho which is quite good and all the poems of Collins in this
collection. Of these I prefer three which in my mind are equal to any thing of the
kind in the language. The Ode to the Passions I need only mention as it’s character
is too high to need remark. His dirge in Cymbeline and the ode to Thomson are really
beautiful.1 There is a tinge of deep melancholy
spread over these which gives them great richness and a tender, plaintive tone which
goes to the heart instantly. He wrote with feeling and he wrote with force. His life
is a melancholy story like that of many of his equals, he died miserably. I was very
much pleased with these productions today. But from some cause or other I had not
accomplished any thing today except what I have mentioned at three o’clock when it
was necessary to study my lesson in Tacitus. We commenced the dialogue on Orators
today but I did not read over the whole of the day’s lesson before the bell rung.
As
it has been usual for Mr. Otis to call upon me first on Mondays I determined to make
up my lost time by carrying Moliere into recitation. This was amusement for
recitation as my expectation was answered. I read “la Comtesse d’Escarbagnas.” It
is
but a small work and nevertheless rather diverting. Not { 130 } much
point to the Play but as usual some severe satire. The women had reason to abuse
Moliere for he was continually ridiculing them. His plays turn generally on their
foibles. The countess is an aping fine lady taken off pretty well, but with not much
exertion, as it seems as if it was thrown together for an afterpiece.

After recitation I paid a visit to Cunningham’s2
room with Otis, for the first time this term. My negligence has been great towards
him. But circumstances have affected our intercourse. He has not been here so often
since his quarrel with Dwight and I have felt less interested in him since I have
seen him less. This difference is a very unpleasant affair to me and as it has been
very silly I had hoped to be able to decide it but they are such tempers that I
despair. Nothing could be done while Otis was with me so I made a formal visit and
returned home. From thence went to the Book store where I lounged until Prayers.
After attending these I returned home with the hope of having a good reading evening
to myself but I had hardly got myself comfortably seated before J. Otis3 and Rundlet walked in to pay me a visit. This broke up my
evening entirely so that I did not read a word. Allyne Otis came in also and we
talked all over the old affairs of our Freshman year. I recollected my dissipation,
melancholy and waste of time and had more to reproach myself of than usually agrees
with me to recollect. The worst of this world is that in times past we recollect
only the bad actions as the most striking and the good ones being a mere matter of
course are suffered to run on unnoticed. My Journal had I kept one would have told
me all, but I think the negligence of that is the very worst sign of all. I
recollect billiards, drinking parties and riding as the principal concerns of that
year. With my sickness, my ideas fortunately changed and I came back a new man.
Perhaps I am too free now but at least there is not this fear that I shall go to
lengths which will be destructive to me hereafter. I trust not. J. Otis is one of
the most remarkable instances of resolution I have seen, his health though has
contributed as much if not more than his inclinations to the destruction of his
applications. They left me at nine and after a little talk with Mr. Saunder’s I went
to Wheatland’s where as usual I met a pack of Seniors who kept me there till after
ten o’clock when I came down and could give but a superficial look at “Twilight”
this evening. X:15.

1. Several selections from Ambrose Philips (1675?-1749) and William Collins
(1721–1759) are included in Aikin’s British Poets.

Tuesday. May. 11th. V:15.

Studied my Astronomy before Prayers and spent the interval in writing my Journal.
After recitation as I had the Morning before me, I determined to make the best of
it, therefore directly sat down to read Dyer’s1
Grongar Hill and Ruins of Rome. I also read Shenstone’s2 School Mistress. I do not admire feeble Poetry which
however pretty it may be leaves a sort of vacant unpleasant feeling not to be made
up by descriptions. The first author has some good ideas and commences them well but
he fails by making too long a winding in its close and not wording this with effect.
He is not concise and striking enough—indeed I imagine he is not one of the Poets
whom I have marked for a reperusal. I will not say this of Shenstone for there is
some very pretty poetry in the first piece in this collection although I am
conscious, I shall have the same objection to him which I gave to Dyer’s. They both
want force. I also read Moliere’s last and very possibly his best Play, that of the
“Malade Imaginaire,” at least it is a very amusing one. He loved to satirize the
learned Medical Faculty and throughout all his Plays omits no opportunity of dashing
at them. He also pays no compliment to College Education in the person of Mr. Thomas
Diafoirus who is made to cut a very ridiculous figure. Here he is right for College
pedants are the most unpleasant animals in the world. I was very much amused in
reading over this though I will confess I was not sorry it was the last of Moliere’s
Plays.

We attended a lecture of Mr. Farrar’s at eleven o’clock. The day being windy and
the sun not bright, the lectures on Opticks were postponed and he gave us one on
Electricity which had formerly been postponed on account of the weather. The lecture
was entirely experimental, as the theory had been explained before. He charged part
of a battery and showed us how the fluid passed through paper, melted gold leaf,
fired ether and cotton, and ignited hydrogen gas. The lecture was the most amusing
I
have yet been to. He also explained many of the instruments which he used. He was
quite short so that I had time to go to the Athenaeum3 and Bookstore before dinner. My satisfaction was great today in having performed
all my duties in season. I can but seldom do this now from the great number of tasks
imposed upon me and the duties which I owe to civility in receiving and returning
visits. This latter as the least important I am compelled to neglect but it has
already excited some dissatisfaction among my friends. Such is the feeling among
some in this institution who take offense because I, their humble servant, do not
wait upon them the very next day after the honour has been conferred upon me. Even
{ 132 } Brenan undertook once to become offended at what he was pleased
to call my slight.

Having the day entirely to myself without interruption, I progressed rapidly in
Mosheim reading two hundred pages. My observations on this part of the work are not
so numerous as they have been because the accounts are less interesting, doctrinal
points are explained which have no bearing on my purpose in reading the book. The
Pope was in continual strife with the powers of Europe it being their last attempt
to recover that supremacy which was inevitably and irrecoverably gone. All had
discovered the important secret that the Pope was not infallible and that the
Catholic religion was not the only religion. I am not surprised that the Jesuits
obtained the degree of authority which they did. Their policy was most admirably
adapted to sooth men’s minds and obtain authority over them. Their principles were
made subservient to their end. Their effect however on the morality of the age was
material. Jansenism which was opposed to it however, I consider full as extravagant
if not as criminal. The Greek Church is only mentioned to be stated as going to
ruin, indeed though considerably revived in Russia it is still in a most barbarous
state. But the most provoking account is that of the Lutheran Church of this
Century. Their obstinacy, their intolerance and bigotry is disgusting. It has
descended to their posterity and is one of the harshest features in their Church.
I
was diverted by the history of the conferences which he gives. Plans which were
commenced with the best intentions and closed with the least success. Argument is
the most foolish way of wishing to end a dispute in the world. Defeat irritates the
conquered and victory exalts the successful, both however are acted upon by ill
feeling and conviction never takes place. In this church two sects were formed—the
Syncretists and Pietists. The latter in attempting to reform the world went to the
other extreme and have been the cause of all the bigoted notions of the present day.
In fact I should imagine that this is the least Christian of all the numerous
religious sects.

Mr. Farrar gave a lecture this Evening, that is, he gave us some experiments which
could not be so well done in the day time. Owing to the great crowd of Freshmen and
Sophomores who took advantage of the darkness, the room became very hot and the
moisture arising from the breath prevented the success of these. Much to my regret.
The quickness of lightning or the fluid was well exhibited and this was the only
one. I returned home disappointed and having finished Mosheim early, I went up to
Wheatland’s and had an hour’s conversation with him. He is sometimes quite pleasant,
and as I remark that he { 133 } is remarkably polite to me I take care
that he shall not become too intimate to lose it. Read over Enfield. X.

3. From the context and from frequent similar references to “the Athenaeum” in the
following months, this appears to have been a news shop and periodical reading
room in the area of what is now Harvard Square. Since CFA often visited it between
morning classes and between afternoon classes and prayers (and could hear the
Harvard chapel bell as he read), it could not have been the famous Boston
Athenaeum, incorporated in 1807 and located at this time in the James Perkins
house, 13 Pearl Street, Boston. CFA was later to frequent that institution, both
before and after it moved, in 1849, to its present building at 10 1/2 Beacon
Street; see Whitehill, Boston: A
Topographical History, p. 117–118. Nor could it have been the
Cambridge Athenaeum, which was not founded until 1849 and was eventually absorbed
by the Cambridge Public Library; see Arthur Gilman, ed., The
Cambridge of Eighteen Hundred and Ninety-Six, Cambridge, 1896, p. 228.
CFA’s “Athenaeum” is probably the same as “the reading room” he so often mentions
passing a little time in to see the latest news and magazines. It was clearly not
the same as “the Bookstore,” evidently William Hilliard’s (see entry for 14 Sept., and note,
below), also in Cambridge but at a little distance from the Yard and the
Athenaeum.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0006-0012

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-05-12

Wednesday. May. 12th. V:25.

Looked over my Astronomy with more care than usual, attended Prayers and having
spent the half hour in writing my journal, went to recitation but was not called
upon. The Morning being the busy one, I did not accomplish my Journal till late, my
Spanish lesson employing me until late. Mr. Sales was not well attended today, this
was not the case however with the Lecture from Farrar. For that was very full. He
gave us the theory of Thunder and Lightning today. The great fault with this man is
that there is no originality in him, his experiments are precisely those we read in
Enfield not varied in the least and illustrated almost in his words. He gives us
also much repetition of the simple steps which tires one very much. He has a great
deal of recapitulation. He closed his lecture by showing us a few experiments in
Opticks exhibiting by the power of the solar microscope, a number of flies magnified
and some crystallizations which were very beautiful indeed. He is not generally
successful in his experiments however.

Returning home I finished Shenstone and Churchill1
in this collection. I also read “la Gloire du Val de Grace,”2 the concluding poem in the works of Moliere. I passed
quickly over the softness of the first poet and read with great delight the Rosciad.
It is admirable satire—piquant, just and well directed. The lines have remarkable
force in them and the sentiments on the subject are correct. It is forcible and this
is the great end of Poetry. The lines are strong and come together { 134 } uniting meaning with sound. Indeed I have not relished any of this kind of writing
remarkably until I came to this, and have marked it for frequent reconsideration.
As
to Moliere’s Poem, I do not see much meaning to it, it appears to be a panegyric
upon the work of some carver and may be said perhaps to be prettily turned. It has
a
great deal of Boileau’s “clinquant” in it though. At least such was my impression,
which may be unjust as I will confess I read it superficially. This finishes his
Works. I have been very well pleased in reading them. He ridiculed the foibles of
the age with a great deal of happiness and introduced some improvements of
consequence in the public taste. For his wit and comic effect he will deservedly
remain a favourite with the French and a standard in their language. I have read all
his plays in exactly one month. My daily portion has been missed but once and that
was on a day which I had allowed myself a holiday. It was on last Exhibition.3 This has been beneficial to me as it has proved my
method and resolution and also it has opened to my examination the beauties of one
of the first authors in the French or in any language. I speak now in my own person
and therefore drop the objection of moral tendency.

I had intended to have spent the afternoon in reading but Tudor came in and staid
here. We conversed for a considerable time. This is a singular man, I have attempted
once or twice to draw a correct character but find myself unable. His fine feelings,
his variableness, his love of contradiction and his obstinacy when engaged on a side
make up a chaos which it is impossible to arrange in a continual and regular series.
The fine points of his nature far out-balance the bad ones. He is generous, he is
affectionate, and openhearted. Positive and this arises from youth, obstinate and
this comes from feeling. The truth is that he has lived without obtaining or
endeavouring to obtain any command over his passions, he gratifies all his desires
without hesitations. Still he has some principle, for though dissipated he never
drinks to excess and ardent he indulges but little in women. Of this latter quality
one might be led to doubt his possession. But on the whole I incline to think from
his complexion and temper it is but want of temptation which makes him appear the
contrary. This principle if I will speak correctly, I must allow is not from a
sentiment of moral wrong but from the dislike of the consequences as affecting
himself. Thus have I been as fair and impartial as possible in this account. He is
my friend.

I read ninety pages of Mosheim today—to become disgusted by his partiality, and the
contentions which he describes. Had I not gone so { 135 } far in this
work, I should throw it up in disgust, and that would injure my perseverance. We
attended the Dudleian Lecture this afternoon in the place of a recitation. It was
delivered this year by Mr. Flint of Salem.4 The
subject, the force of revealed religion. This makes the fourth we have heard since
entering College. There was not a great deal of argument in it as his proofs were
simple, reducing himself to two or three plain but pretty powerful dilemmas. His
close was eloquent however, in his address to the students he spoke with much
feeling and his unaffected manner had considerable effect. It was on the whole quite
an agreable disappointment. The rest of the day was spent in finishing my portion
of
Mosheim, writing a sketch for my tomorrow’s theme and studying my lesson. At nine
o’clock, Richardson and Tudor came down and we drank a bottle of Champagne Wine
together. We (the Lyceum Club of whom I shall speak hereafter) had bought a hamper
and therefore to try its quality we three took one of the Society.5 It was very delicious and after some conversation we all
retired, I being moderately exhilarated, very slightly
however. The Wine was very fine. XI.

3. By college rule this would have been the last Tuesday of April (or 27 April).

4. The Dudleian Lecture was an annual rotating theological discourse. The Rev. James
Flint’s sermon was later published in A Present from a Pastor to
His Young Parishioners, Boston, 1844; the manuscript is in the Harvard
Archives.

Thursday. May 13th. V:30.

Arose and studied my lesson, both before Prayers and in the Interval. Mr. Hayward
would not call upon me however, much to my regret. I accomplished my theme this
Morning on the subject of “Money answereth all things.” The discussion of it is very
easy so that I was quite early in carrying mine up. Mr. Channing1 made but few remarks on my old one, he complains
principally of my obscurity, which is owing to my indolence and disinclination to
develop an idea. It is too much trouble and not much variety. I did nothing besides
except read a paraphrase of the book of Job by Young2 and the two first parts of his Night Thoughts. Of the first production I thought
but very little, the latter is a gloomy, wretched picture of life. It diffused its
mournful strain over my feelings and made me melancholy indeed. The Wine which I had
drunk last night had a great effect upon me today, causing some languor, this
together with the weather had such effect upon me. At dinner I made a great exertion
to obtain my usual spirits which succeeded at the time but only threw me into { 136 } worse vapours in the afternoon. I took up Mosheim and closed the
fifth volume before Prayers. I did not make many observations upon what I read as
I
have got displeased with the work. The author so evidently manifests his feelings
and the translator in his notes sometimes shows a little malignity particularly to
the Quakers. Whatever their tenets may be they are now a very regular and moral sect
consequently no just cause of complaint can be given. The argument concerning their
leader or founder has nothing to do with it’s present organization. Perhaps they are
wrong in opposing a law firmly established but this should be treated in a way by
which obstinacy, the great point in man’s weaknesses, is taken off. In short, the
milk of human kindness is quite deficient in this Man. After some agitation I
determined to attend the lesson in Tacitus, and was called upon second in a section
which I had overlooked by some accident as it fell through between the lessons. I
however got through with it, and reconciled myself without much difficulty to the
idea of having recited for the last time in Latin at Harvard University. That this
task which has been on me incessantly for nine years almost is now taken off and
that in future my reading will be voluntary. There is something in this feeling
certainly very comfortable for I am tired of working like a mill horse. After tea
I
read over my lesson and then took a considerable walk with Richardson. I had some
conversation with him but it was of the provoking sort. Indeed now, there is not
much which does not jar my nerves in him.

Thus the Evening went, and at nine o’clock, I attended a Meeting of the Lyceum Club
at Sheafe’s. This is an Institution of our own, formed at the commencement of this
term. Composed of the Members of the House,3 Otis,
Richardson, Sheafe, Tudor, Wheatland and myself, together with Chapman, Dwight and
Lothrop. Its purpose is entirely festive and consequently immediately upon
organizing we went into Committee of the Whole which is the form, and sat down to
Whist, at two Tables, Wheatland being out of the game. We had all of us been in
terrible spirits during the day, Tudor was sick, Dwight was in bad temper so was
Wheatland and so was I. Our different tempers were considerably developed in the
course of the night. The great length of the term also had soured us much, so that
I
can easily account for the feelings of the company. The fact is that we were set in
for a debauch and one long expected. After the first rubber had been played, the
Champagne Wine which was the provision, was produced and one bottle placed before
each man. It was unfortunate however that one table finished Whist so much before
the other, as they soon { 137 } became noisy and boisterous. Richardson
also, acting under the influence of the wine lost all the good qualities he does
possess and became to us, most disagreable. This noise on the one side and silence
on the other, excited a spirit of discontent between the tables which was still more
brought into action by a vote which we five, (inviting the President, Wheatland)
carried against them concerning the breaking of the Glasses which we decided should
be paid for by the breakers. I voted for this, because I thought it would be a guard
upon some of the weak men in the society. This vote irritated Dwight to a high
degree which increased by the liquor he had taken, he flew into a violent passion
and refused to have any connection with us until we retracted. His obstinacy was
astonishing and very unpleasant. At last after finding relief from his bursting
feelings by tears by which he affected Richardson in the same way they came over and
we formed a circle around the large table where we sung many songs, and finished the
Wine. The rest of the scene was all riot, Sheafe employed two to hold him down.
Tables, Chairs and some glasses were tumbled down. The excitement was general with
the exception of Wheatland. Dwight made up his differences with the closest hugs.
We
then went to walk, and returned in a rolling walk. For myself I was sick before the
close as this agitation affected me. Upon my return I found every body retiring so
I
went myself. Our friends all staid over here, Chapman sleeping with me. I
morning.4

Friday May. 14th. VII:40.

Missed Morning Prayers and recitations all day. My feelings to day were not of a
sort to feel proud of. My mouth felt very much parched and I felt myself
considerably under the influence of fever. As Chapman and Lothrop could not boast
much we tried a walk this morning, but I returned still having some of last evenings
dizziness. In fact I never was so much affected by an affair of this kind in my
life. I was not intoxicated for I went to bed perfectly conscious of my actions and
with a perfect command over myself. But I had drunk nearly a bottle and a half of
this Champagne Wine and felt quite loaded in consequence. Not being inclined to
remain alone and the house appearing much like myself I paid visits at Greenough’s
room and Brenan’s. J. Otis was at the former. Greenough looked suspicious and Otis
con• { 138 } gratulated me on my appearance. After some very insipid
conversation on subjects of no importance I returned home, spent half an hour at
Wheatland’s and then attended Mr. Farrar’s lecture on Galvanism. He gave us some
account of the instrument called the Voltaic battery and exhibited the effects of
different metals on frogs. I should like to have attended more to this lecture, but
I was so exhausted, I dropped asleep, although I made exertions to the contrary. My
feelings were not of a nature to be envied. This volume is intended to portray my
actions and passions to myself candidly so that I will conceal nothing. This has
given me a lesson in this respect which I shall take care to notice. I accomplished
nothing this morning. It was wasted in an attempt to introduce comfort again to my
room. I could eat no dinner, trying a little soup—my stomach refused it and I was
compelled to arise from table to throw it up. This had an excellent effect, had I
taken warm water this morning I should have been saved all this. Although it was my
turn to declaim this afternoon I felt myself entirely unable so I gave up the idea
of attending and immediately went to bed. My exhaustion carried me to sleep in five
minutes and I again awoke at four o’clock having derived much benefit from this. The
rest of the afternoon was spent in a gradual recovery and by tea time I had very
nearly recovered from my indisposition. My lips being now the only difficulty as
they felt very dry still. This has been the case always after drinking wine of late
which evidently proves my blood to be in a heated state. Indeed if I do not feel
better I have made up my mind to ask leave of absence from the President for the
rest of the term.

To amuse myself as much as possible, I took up the Sentimental Journey1 and read some pages in it but found myself entirely dead to
all it’s sweetest passages and could not laugh at it’s nonsense. So I threw it up
and tried the fourth Canto of Don Juan but this had as little power over me, the
beautiful description of the death of Haidee sounded like lame Poetry to me. I fell
into a passion with the stanza and was disgusted with the levity of my friend the
singer. Satisfied that this was doing me no good I read a few letters in the first
volume of Voltaire’s General Correspondence.2 They
were written in youth and therefore of not much use or beauty. Now and then a
striking remark but nothing to show a future Voltaire. I read two Chapters of the
Bible today also, for the first time for a great while. I do not recollect having
read one before for three or four years. By this variety I managed to pass through
a
bleak and cold afternoon. My appetite was considerably restored for tea.

Dwight went this morning. I had no time to see him and find what { 139 } was the state of his temper. Although I should be sorry to have him recollect the
circumstances of last night’s affair to make a difference today, yet I should not
be
surprised knowing his character as I do, if he did take this course. Indeed I think
it a happy thing that he departs for in the vacation he will have time to reconsider
his conduct on this Evening and repent his violence. I am not conscious of being an
ungenerous man nor of grudging any thing when there is any satisfaction to be
obtained on either side but I feared much the taking off a feeling of caution from
one or two as I had heard of a similar case a few days back where one of a party
destroyed every glass in the room for amusement. This could not be agreable to any
of the rest. In such a scene as last night’s there was much to make each man sorry.
Richardson for his unpleasant noise, Dwight for his obstinacy, Chapman and I for
anger and so on. Perhaps we shall not be on such pleasant terms in future. I know
nothing of this however, and if I have a trial, shall endeavour to suppress my
injured feelings as much as possible.

In the Evening I was at Wheatlands with a number of Seniors who, it seems have
smelt a rat and gave us strong intimations that they knew what we had been doing.
After some conversation about craniology3 and
nonsense I went down and spent the rest of the Evening writing my Journal. I did not
read Young to night, because he was too gloomy for evening and the state of my
nerves so I postponed until tomorrow. X:15.

1. JQA’s copy of Laurence Sterne’s Works, 10 vols., London,
1780, is in the Stone Library, as are two other editions which CFA acquired
subsequent to this entry—one published in London, 1823, in 4 vols., but containing
an inscription from John H. Richardson dated 1825; the other published in London,
1802, in 7 vols., containing the signature of P. C. Brooks, whom CFA did not know
at this point.

2. The Stone Library contains two copies of Voltaire’s OEuvres
complètes, one published at Deux-Ponts in 1791–1792, in 100 vols., the
other, no place indicated, in 1785, 16 vols. A set of Voltaire’s OEuvres, 37 vols., Genève, 1775, is among JA’s books in tine Boston Public
Library (Catalogue of JA’s
Library, p. 258).

Saturday. May 15th. VII:30.

Arose considerably refreshed although feeling still quite feverish in consequence
of which I determined to absent myself from the College Exercises until I should be
able to get my name out. In order to preserve myself from a severe attack I took
some Medicine, we making quite a party of it, for Tudor and Sheafe accompanied me.
The morning I spent in a very desultory way. I read two parts more of Night
Thoughts. This is a remarkable poem. Perfectly original and perfectly { 140 } gloomy, it gives us a picture of human life which could very easily
influence every man in a state of misfortune to destroy himself. For me it is very
much against the present state of my feelings to read it, they are sufficiently
affected at present without wishing to make them worse. I have also got so well
satisfied with the world that I am inclined to think this man’s representations of
it are very much strained nor am I desirous to believe that we must guide all our
life in the course which should lead to a good death, the sole end of our existence.
Death is but a moment and although a painful one it does not require much more
preparation than that which sickness gives. As to deathbed repentances which men
make so much noise about I do not estimate them of any value for it is the most
convenient way of going when there is no choice left. And although when a man is
suddenly killed, he is said to be hurried into eternity I doubt not but he has as
fair a chance of getting a good decision as if he lamented his sins when he could
perform them nomore. In my opinion a man who dies at something over sixty and very
suddenly is perfectly to be envied. The anticipation of it is much worse than the
thing itself. I also wrote one page of my Journal and copied two or three short
extracts into my Common Place Book.

The rest of the Morning was wasted in conversation with Tudor, Richardson,
Wheatland and Sheafe. Our tempers are all very much soured by the extreme length of
the term and by the disagreable temper of Richardson—who is perpetually quarrelling
with Wheatland, put up to it by the foolish representations of the rest of the
Members of the house. Independence is not in the nature of this young man, he
therefore at this time only makes a disturbance which puts all out of temper without
giving them a higher opinion of him. Tudor has been until today in this week more
unpleasant than I ever saw him before. Sheafe is dreadfully affected by the affair
of the other night. Otis has gone to town. I was obliged to keep myself on a diet
all day today for which I expect presently to feel much better. Though I cannot but
allow that I purchase it [at] a considerable rate.

In the afternoon I read two more parts of Young’s Night Thoughts and took a walk to
the Bookstore with Tudor in order to assist my Medicine in its Operation. We met
Lothrop who appears to be quite well. Young managed to extend his ideas to a most
unreasonable length. In fact with all his sublimity he makes every one wish he could
be more concise. I could not help remarking the great degree of study which
prevails. Almost every line is a period which tires much, a man merely reading
Poetry for his pleasure.

At supper we were informed of the expulsion of three of our classmates. Allen 2d.,
Dewey1 and Fessenden. The course of this last has
been remarkable. And as I have had something to do with him in my life I shall
mention it. I knew him first at the Latin School in Boston in 1817. A boy then of
pretty good parts, excellent nature and very studious. I knew him for two years
during which he was very diligent indeed. The next time he came under my notice was
just before we entered College when I thought, I perceived a relaxation, he having
become too easily the first at that School. From associating with Langdon and
Loring2 he obtained dissipated tastes and was
envious of me because I had command of Money and of dash. This I too plainly
perceived and was the first mark by which I thought ill of him. He entered College
and lived with Loring. This was his ruin. Loring in fifteen months by a terrible
course of dissipation ruined himself for this world. Fessenden by falling into this
society was not possessed of sufficient energy to withdraw and fell. The most
notable example, I have ever met of blasted hopes and merit destroyed by a
concurrence of ill fated circumstances. Although I long since quarrelled violently
with him, I am sorry to think of his fate. He deserved his punishment for he had
been guilty of many vicious deeds and had lost all sense of shame. He had been seen
riding between two women of the town on Sunday afternoon before the Colleges.3 Allen and Dewey are not worthy of so much notice.
They are the remains of a gang which has long infested our class and which has of
late bid fair to corrupt half the class.

In the evening, not having any thing to do I paid Tudor a long visit and talked on
the subject of religion for some time. Perhaps I disclosed my opinions rather too
freely before Wheatland, for he might take an estimate of my character which would
injure me as he is unrestrained in his temper and malevolent in his disposition.
X:15.

Sunday. May. 16th. VII:30.

Arose feeling considerably better, but not clear of the burning feeling which has
been affecting me of late. I did not attend any exercises all day. In the morning,
I
read the seventh part of the Night Thoughts. This is an interminable work. And the
books grow longer { 142 } as we get to the end. I am in no humour to read
gloomy books at present and do not relish this man’s morbid state of temper. He does
make some good reflections and when he condescends to get out of the vapours becomes
quite agreable. My negligence in not getting the sixth volume of Mosheim from the
Library has deprived me of the power of finishing it now, and it being too late to
commence any thing of importance I sat down to read the last Novel of the Author of
Waverley called St. Ronan’s Well.1 I finished it in
the course of the day and evening. It is remarkably interesting having a great
variety of incident and character. Etherington is a representation of one of your
fashionable scoundrels so often described in Novels. He takes rather a queer step
in
marrying Clara Mowbray who is represented as a wild woodgirl with an amazing
quantity of sensibility about a marriage which could easily and lawfully be got over
as she married Francis Tyrrel and not Francis Valentine Bulwer Tyrrel, which appears
to be the name of the counterfeit. This part of the incident I can not exactly
suppose to be according to full probability. Indeed this novel is much more
interesting while one is reading it than it seems to have been on recollection.
Touchwood is almost too odd not to be strained. The scenes at the St. Ronan’s
ordinary are the most natural. It is just the bustle of a small watering place. Lady
Penfeather is quite well, so is Mr. Winterblossom and although I must confess I
never met with any quite so desirous of arranging matters amicably as Captain
McTurk, Lady Brinks is seen enough to compensate. The author always manages to throw
a gloom over his pictures by selecting the remnants of a fallen house for his story
to turn upon. He leaves a mystery also over the conduct of Clara in her last meeting
with her brother which would have been better cleared up as if she must die, it is
not necessary that her innocence should be doubted. The novel closes as if there was
some deficiency. The reader feels as if there was some female wanted to close up
with satisfaction for it must be allowed that he has given us prudes, sullens and
mad women but no novel heroine for a young man at least to
observe of. I retired immediately after finishing it. X:15.

Monday. May 17th. VII:30.

Arose, feeling perfectly well, but having fixed my mind upon going away I went to
the President’s immediately after breakfast and obtained leave of absence for the
rest of the term. As he appeared to be { 143 } in good humour, I made
some inquiries on two points which have long been matter of agitation in my mind.
They are whether I could exchange the study of Mathematics for some more interesting
and more profitable study to myself and the other whether, in case I had a claim by
my rank to a part, the Government would not take an excuse. On the first point the
President was not explicit. He said that there had been some similar cases, and that
he would speak to the Professor of Mathematics and see what could be done. My
reasons are pretty [word omitted]—a dislike to the study, ill
grounding, and loss of time. On the second he was not inclined to give me much hope.
He said the Government imposed these things as a duty and an honor. If it was not
considered the latter it must be taken in the former light. This shut my mouth and
I
was obliged to depart not so well satisfied with the conversation as I might be. I
do hope still that by gaining the one I may obtain the other petition as I see no
way in which I can be brought into even competition with any of my class.

I returned home and spent the rest of the Morning in wading through the terribly
long night of Young. The poor man must have racked his brain considerably to write
such a one as the eighth. I did not attend Mr. Farrar’s Lecture today owing to the
want of time to accomplish my Journal and so forth. I also went to the Bookstore to
read the new Plan to be adopted for this Institution. After examining the sketch,
I
have come to the opinion that something must be done, and that a great deal here is
good but that somewhat of this must be corrected for I cannot think that a common
place of boarding can be of any advantage to College as this does not appear to
raise any obstacle to the old fault of the Institution, rebellion. To be sure the
censure will be taken off the College in general but it will only come with greater
force upon individuals. Dr. Ware and Mr. Hedge might come more into odium among the
Students. I am too far advanced to have this materially affect me and I am thankful
for it. For although I am perfectly willing to confess a change necessary, I am not
inclined to be a sufferer by it. The system of fines is to be abolished and tasks
imposed—a change under which I should suffer considerably.1

My affairs being arranged here, I stepped into the Stage and bid Goodbye to
Cambridge and the Lyceum with a heart far from sorrowful. I have relished this term
remarkably but nevertheless it has been of uncommon length and I have taken no
recess to ease it off. My studies have been pretty close. My College exercises
generally speaking pretty well performed and I have derived great benefit from my
notes. Indeed I have but little reason to repent of my conduct. Per• { 144 } haps I wasted some time in dissipation in the first part of the
term but this was pretty fully made up latterly.

My ride to town was dull and uninteresting. I went immediately to my brother’s
room2 where I sat with him for an hour. Our
conversation was so agreable that the time passed off astonishingly. I had much to
say to him concerning the present state of our politics and he to me on the attack
upon our family lately made by Mr. Timothy Pickering of Salem in the shape of a
review of the Cunningham correspondence in which he is so severely handled.3 It seems that there is no limit to the abuse which he
pours upon the Adams’s. This might make my blood boil, but when I think it comes
from the man who was kicked out of office by my Grandfather, and who now tries his
last strength to overturn the power which has ruled over him so completely, I am
more desirous of looking at this with pity. He has now little influence, what little
he has had, has been used to the injury of his country and native state. For he was
the counsellor of the violent measures of the last war. Now he feels himself
deserted and only able to show his teeth and bark to such effect however that we
shall presently believe him mad. Conversing on this subject and others of equal
importance, the Quincy stage arrived in the midst of our discourse and I hurried
away. Receiving two or three slight cuts from Miss Harriet Welsh “en passant.”

My stage companions were two young girls and one old man. The latter was an amusing
old crone who informed us all that he was happier than the richest man in the world.
He had nothing, to be sure but then he cared for nothing. He passed along easily and
contentedly without making any stir. Indeed I have seldom seen a man who seemed more pleased and contented with his wretched state. If
he was poor as a church mouse he knew how to bear it. One of the girls appeared to
be really a piety of the first degree and warmed quite enchantingly while singing
the praises of good Mr. Cutler.4 The other was not
so enthusiastic but would have been quite pretty had she squinted less.

The observation of human nature is one of my most favourite amusements and one
which is most assisted by the freedom of a stage coach. We are always in search for
variety of character and are delighted when we find it. The pretty prude who was at
the corner is a common character in young women and always appears the most
laughable. They are such a yielding sex that while you hear them talking in their
prettiest manner, you cannot help thinking that their muscles are not always so
rigid nor their principles so stern. A pretty { 145 } enthusiast is the
sweetest and at the same time the weakest person in the world. I had some converse
with the other girl whom I found more easy and perhaps more bold. These people know
how to flatter for they talked of my grandfather as if they did not know me. At
least the man did and perhaps he was really ignorant of my name but this was not the
case with the other although she was very warm in his praises. More so perhaps than
might have been necessary. Thus passed the time and I alighted at the bottom of the
hill quite diverted with my afternoon’s entertainment. I walked leisurely up the
hill leading to my Grandfather’s house and admired very much the beauty of the
country, the vividness of the grass and the number of blossoms. Indeed I have never
seen the summer open more beautifully than it does this year. The rains have made
the Spring very unpleasant indeed but they have preserved the verdure of the grass.
Cambridge being situated so low does not show itself so much to advantage and my
room being upon a barren common.

I was soon saluted by a dozen voices and had soon the pleasure of going through the
usual form of salutation all round. After finding out what all knew before that we
were some of us sick except myself I went up to see my grandfather and talk with
him. He was full of Pickering’s book, the preface to which he made me read and part
of the review. It is a scandalous publication and serves to make the plot of this
election thicken. Mr. P. writes like a mad bull and gores every person who is thrown
in his way. At tea, I met my Uncle who appears to relish this the least of all. In
fact I find the family grind their teeth not that they feel anxious concerning the
book but because they long to see him prostrated which desire will soon be
gratified. For he has attacked three men who have powerful men to avenge them. The
old gentleman appears exceedingly feeble and evidently will soon be laid up in his
death bed. He converses cheerfully.

After a very little nonsense with the ladies, retired. XI:15.

1. After the great student riot of 1823 (see entry for 28
May, below), the various governing boards of Harvard and the public became
convinced that something was wrong with the college. An investigating committee,
headed by Joseph Story, set to work, and its first recommendations were made
public in May 1824. They included: (1) the strengthening of the power of the
President, making him the “real, and effective Head of the University,” with wide
powers over the departments; (2) the establishment of departments, each directed
by a professor charged with recommending appointments and removals; (3) the
organization of faculty boards to run the college more economically and to
discipline students more effectively. Later the committee made another report, and
the two sets of recommendations, considerably modified and amended, became the
basis of the new set of college statutes adopted in June 1825. See Overseers
Records, 7:9, 16, 32, 52, 62–63, 66–71, 76–78, 83–85, { 146 } 92, 212,
220–227, Harvard Archives; and Morison, Three Centuries of Harvard, p. 231–233.

Of the other reforms recommended, CFA objected to the imposition of tasks,
instead of fines, as penalties for misconduct, but he approved permitting students
to board out instead of eating in commons.

3. In 1823, in an obvious attempt to injure JQA’s chances for the Presidency, there
was published in Boston a volume entitled Correspondence between
the Hon. John Adams . . . and the Late William Cunningham, Esq..... The
letters from JA, written between 1803 and 1810 to his first cousin once removed,
William Cunningham Jr. (1767–1823), were strongly anti-Jeffersonian in the early
years but gradually became vigorously anti-Federalist. Cunningham wanted JA to
soften his criticism of the old Federalists, especially since JA was contributing
anti-Federalist letters to the Boston Patriot, and
threatened to make public JA’s earlier, anti-Jeffersonian letters to embarrass JA
with the Madison administration, which JA and JQA were supporting.

Cunningham committed suicide in 1823, but his son, Ephraim May Cunningham
(1792–1852), published the now famous correspondence, which Timothy Pickering, an
old Federalist whom JA had dismissed from his office as Secretary of State in
1800, reviewed in May 1824. In a 200-page pamphlet entitled A
Review of the Correspondence between the Hon. John Adams and the Late William
Cunningham, Esq. . . . , Salem, Pickering violently attacked both JA and
Jefferson.

For a fuller account of this affair see CFA’s comment in JA, Works, 1:628–629; Columbian
Centinel, 15 May 1824; and Jefferson’s thoughtful letter to JA, 12 Oct.
1823, Adams Papers. On the Cunninghams’ connection
with JA, see Adams Genealogy.

Tuesday. May 18th. VIII:30.

Although not extraordinarily late, I found my breakfast laid by and the room
cleaned up. I was therefore reminded that the indulgence of former days was over,
that the departure of my brother John who used to make this sort of indulgence more
valuable, had broken all my plans. This is the first vacation that I have spent at
Quincy without him. And here it is that I feel his absence most. All our parties and
diversions are broken up for want of somebody to carry them on with and I find
myself doomed to the variety of books. It is happy for me
that I can bear this without complaining, but I must acknowledge, I cannot see how
John could have lived here through four months in the same train. He paid me two
compliments by requesting my society which I was willing enough to give him as the
College studies were difficult and tedious. Since his departure from here, Quincy
has become less attractive and has seen less of me. So that I now feel precisely as
if in a strange family. Abby looks better than she used to, probably for
discontinuing her loads of medicine. She is not very communicative about Washington.
I think she has much improved by showing less of her fretting temper and by having
acquired more of { 147 } the manners of a lady. This is much more
striking when we see the comparison.

I spent the morning partly in writing my Journal, partly in reading the first half
of Young’s Ninth and last Night. This man was a singular character. His temper in
his youth at least does not seem to have been the most gloomy. I imagine that he
made himself so to write as I have sometimes made myself melancholy to enjoy the
luxury. Lorenzo appears to be not the finest character in the world. The life
vehemently denies that he intended his son to be represented. But this is written
as
if the son himself was the author. Dr. Johnson says but little. I took a ride also
with Grandfather who appears remarkably feeble. He requires support now which I have
never known before. We did not take a long ride for he could not bear it and merely
stopped at Mr. Marston’s1 to hear what he had to
say. He looked very busy, and important as usual. The day was a remarkably fine one,
and he came home considerably refreshed. The rest of the morning was spent in
lounging and keeping the old gentleman company, which is something of a task. My
spirits are cheerful, but there is always something chilling to me here which I do
not believe it will ever be possible for me to get over.

After dinner, feeling in singular state of humour, I took a walk up Montezillo as
my Grandfather has called it2—and seated myself down
on a rock where I had a view of all the harbour and of Boston. I had indulged myself
in a remarkable train of musing on “auld lang syne.” My situation in this life, and
the many pleasant hours I have spent here with John. For my pleasurable associations
here will always turn upon him as we saw none else. I thought of our future course,
that we should never see so much of each other again, that soon he would have a part
to take in this world and would be engaged in a heavy responsibility. I ran over our
future prospects, George with his marked distinctly for he will have much to
struggle with, he has taken his course.3 John with
his which is yet at his own disposal.4 And I, who am
doomed to live an independent and a single life. I have not enjoyed pleasure of this
sort for a long time, as it paralizes exertion and only makes me feel that I have
neglected my duty. Thus I spent two hours after which I returned home and finding
no
other employment, took down Tacitus and commenced my destined task of translating
the life of Agricola. In looking over a copy which was in my
g[rand]father’s library5 I came
to a mark of my father’s in which he put down his progress forty years ago. I
determined to pursue the same course and for today I translated three sections. It
is my intention if I have { 148 } time to reduce it all to writing in
order to improve my style which is said to be barren.

Tea was announced as I finished—and I went, after which I went up to the old
gentleman’s sitting room where I amused him by reading aloud part of a book which
he
has just received called “The constitution of England explained.” It is the
production of a man by the name of Cartwright6 who
appears to be one of the extravagant advocates of radical reform in England. He
writes as if he was not perfectly sound, certainly not perfectly correct. The book
was very dull also, so I shut it up as soon as I obtained convenient opportunity.
I
then read over John’s letters7 to my Grandfather,
and three of others to him, after which I went down stairs to hear the ladies talk
of dress as Mrs. Clark and Elizabeth had just come out of town. This was not my
forte so I laid down quietly on the sopha. Afterwards I had a little conversation
with Mrs. Adams upon Shaw whose place of retirement I had not before known, and then
retired. XI:45.

2. After JA and Jefferson resumed their correspondence in 1812, JA fancied his
Quincy estate as “Montezillo," or little hill, as contrasted to “Monticello," or
Jefferson’s lofty mountain. This was one of several names JA gave his Quincy home.
See JA, Diary and
Autobiography, 3:248.

3. GWA was admitted to the Suffolk County bar in 1824 and in 1826 was chosen to the
Massachusetts legislature.

4. Expelled from Harvard after the 1823 “rebellion,” JA2 was studying law in
Washington under his father’s guidance.

6. JQA’s copy of John Cartwright, The English Constitution
Produced and Illustrated, London, 1823, is in the Stone Library. Among JA’s
books in the Boston Public Library are two copies of the work (Catalogue of JA’s Library, p.
45).

Wednesday. May. 19th. VII:30.

I this Morning changed the time of rising according to admonition, and appeared
downstairs before breakfast was over. The day was so disagreable that it would not
allow of any body’s going out. So I spent the morning partly in reading the
remainder of Young’s ninth Night and partly in writing my Journal. I am exceedingly
glad that I have at last got through these Thoughts, as it is well to say that I
have read them, but I doubt very much whether I shall be tempted to take them up in
any great hurry, again. Parts I have been pleased with, parts I have considered
sublime although I could not relish their sentiments or tendency and parts I have
thought rather dull. The tendency of this book is much more dangerous than that of
lighter books as it gives us too gloomy notions of our existence and of our Creator.
Man was { 149 } not made to mourn unless he chose to do it himself. And
it is too bad that any one should pretend to cry before they are hurt. I spent an
hour in writing a letter to John1 also, the most
quizzical affair, that I have seen for some time. Being in a state of terrible ennui
I determined to dispense some of it upon him and therefore wrote upon nothing.
Having made three pages out of this, I became perfectly satisfied and in the
afternoon employed myself in translating five sections of the life of Agricola and
in reading the sixth volume of Mosheim which I did not finish last term. There were
but about forty pages which contained a short sketch of the Church during the
eighteenth century. It is short and unsatisfactory and merely connected as an
Appendix to the rest of the History. There are some Appendixes to the book which I
did not read, as they treated more of theological than historical points and were
written not by Dr. Mosheim but by his translator, Dr. Maclaine,2 on disputed tracts.

Mr. Quincy3 was here this afternoon from Boston and
amused my Grandfather for some time, with a story of somebody in Boston and Mr.
Pickering’s book. I think people tell him too plainly for his spirit that he is
dying for however philosophically he may bear it, it is not possible for human
nature to think upon such a subject and not feel depressed. Anxious as he is also,
concerning the result of these attacks upon his reputation. He did not take his ride
today. So I entertained him with a little more of Major Cartwright’s prospects of
the English Constitution. As I am not over anxious to learn such a piece of nonsense
I skip over much which he knows nothing about. For he does not appear to miss any
connection in the sense. I had just finished a dialogue when I was luckily
interrupted.

This was occasioned by the announcement of the arrival of Thomas Hellen from
Portsmouth through Boston. He has been at School at Exeter for some time past,
fitting for admission to College. He has grown considerably and begins to acquire
the appearance of a man. I was glad to see him as I had just begun to feel the want
of Society. He is the most agreable fellow that I could have of all I know. There
is
something remarkable in all these Hellens that I never could understand,
particularly their views towards each other and their peculiarities for all have
them. I never could account for it. They suspect or disagree with each other and
still have considerable [word omitted]. I had reason to know Mary
well, I have been intimate with Johnson, and I have seen this one from a boy of ten
years, still there is something in them which puzzles me. Accordingly my address is
not the most cordial and Thomas made something of a complaint of it at first. { 150 } I like the young men and have too deeply loved the woman but this
has been their reward. I am determined to break myself of this and, conscious that
this is a good time, I will endeavour. At Quincy, surrounded by people whom I am
obliged to consider hypocrites towards me, my conduct cannot be such as elsewhere,
but this must be got over. I have lost the good will of this people because I made
no exertion to gain it but have on the contrary expressed my disgust pretty freely.
They are too unpleasant to me, being all hypocrites themselves and I not swallowing
it down quite as well. Mrs. Clark with her piety puts me in a passion, knowing that
had her husband lived, she would have had other fish to fry. Her playing the doll
with her child4 and her terrible habits of
affectation have displeased me while what she is pleased to call my impiety has
disgusted her. Of the rest I will speak at another time.

After tea I made an exertion to be lively and succeeded for the evening amusing the
ladies with nothing at all until late. Thomas and I were the last to go to bed as
we
talked of Washington, my father, the election which he appears as all the Hellens
do, to be very deeply interested in, and his prospects. He has better views of
nature and the world than I expected, on the whole was much pleased. We staid up in
this way, talking and smoking until I found that we were encroaching upon the family
rest and the morning. XII.

3. Josiah Quincy (1772–1864), Harvard 1790, whose life encompassed several
distinguished careers: Federalist Congressman, 1804–1813; Mayor of Boston,
1823–1828; and President of Harvard, 1829–1845. His wife was the former Eliza
Susan Morton. See DAB and
Adams Genealogy.

Thursday. May. 20th. VII:30.

Arose this Morning and immediately after breakfast took a long walk with Thomas
Hellen to my father’s Estate at Mount Wollaston1 as
well to see it myself as to show it to him. It is a pretty place and desirable
enough in Summer, but a Winter’s residence would be very disagreable. I was led into
a train of thought remarkable enough concerning our future destinies. This is the
spot which George has fixed upon for a residence and here he is to exist with Mary
Hellen, one of the most capricious women that were ever formed in a capricious race.
He is to live as long as possible here and then which will not be a great while, go
to Boston. Thinking of this, I have been wishing to obtain some knowledge concerning
my own future probabilities but it is impossible. My next years will depend very
much on my father’s and his, { 151 } Heaven knows, are doubtful enough.
Thomas has been thrown so many years further back in life that when he talks of
prospects, I begin to think mine pressing. The estate is a remarkably fine one for
it’s situation is directly on one of the most beautiful spots in the bay. For me it
would be a beautiful retreat where I should not be plagued by the disgust of company
and where I might with more ease pursue those studies which would profit me. All
this however is but the effect of imagination and I will leave the train of
circumstances to themselves, conscious that neither wishes nor prayers can change
them. We returned home somewhat fatigued.

Owing to the presence of this young man I shall not be able to continue my Tacitus.
I therefore shall labour on the five sections already translated to give them an
elegant translation. I read none of Young today either.

The Evening was in the Parlour with the ladies. There is magic in a Petticoat to a
young man. I cannot tell, but my passions and feelings are all so affected that I
want their society. Of the tendency of this passion I am so well aware, that I make
great attempts to keep it on guard. I have been hitherto successful and hope to be.
With the exception of one difficulty which perhaps was the very thing which gave me
prudence, I have felt no attachment and intend to feel none until it is as
consistent with interest as with desire.2 A man can
soon make himself love any woman, in the proper sense of the term, for in my opinion
there is no Platonism in it. At least there never has been with me. I know the
acting force and as I know it is impossible to gratify it without ruin, I know how
to prevent it.

My Evening was pleasantly spent. They are the most agreable parts of the time here.
The girls are agreable enough, not at all pretty. Indeed it is not the forte of our
family to talk of handsome persons of either sex. For my own part, I see3 none of the present generation except Thomas Adams.
XII:15.

1. Mount Wollaston farm, on that part of Quincy Bay still known as Adams Shore, was
the estate of AA’s maternal grandfather, Col. John Quincy. In 1767 it passed into
the hands of Norton Quincy, the Colonel’s son, and, after Norton’s death in 1801,
the property was acquired by the Adamses partly by bequest and partly by purchase.
At various times later on, CFA planned to build a home here, but it was his eldest
son, John Quincy Adams 2d (1833–1894), designated as JQA2 in the present edition
(see Adams Genealogy), who eventually did so, soon
after the Civil War, and gave it the name “Merrymount” because the property
included the site of the maypole erected at “Mare Mount” on Mount Wollaston by the
17th-century adventurer Thomas Morton. See JA, Diary and Autobiography, 1:x, 141, and an illustration of Mount
Wollaston about the time of the present diary entry, same, facing p. 256; also Adams Family Correspondence, 2:388–389.

2. CFA’s manuscript at this point con• { 152 } tains a heavily penciled
marginal line, with the number “174” (possibly “175”) beside it in an unidentified
hand, presumably a page reference. Neither page 174 nor page 175 of the present
MS Diary (D/CFA/4), containing part of the entry for
6 August and all of the entry for 7 August, below, throws any light on this passage.

3. Using a colloquialism (Dict. of
Americanisms), CFA means that he recognizes none of the generation
as handsome except Thomas B. Adams Jr.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0006-0021

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-05-21

Friday. May. 21st. VIII:45.

Very late this Morning, Every body having done breakfast some time since. Although
the weather in the morning was very disagreable, I determined to go to Cambridge and
accordingly went, carrying Thomas in a Chaise. We went the longest road, through
Dorchester, Roxbury and Brookline in order to show him the country. The weather
cleared off and became fine. Arriving we went to my room and found it in great
disorder, as they had just taken up the carpet and had carried away all the
materials for making a good fire which as the wind had chilled us, we very much
desired. College looks very barren indeed. No students to be seen, some of the
dismissed Sophomores together with one or two others of the same class made up all.
I walked all over Cambridge with Thomas, talking of the different places and showing
him the professors houses. Met Morgan,1 who has come
back here to enter the Sophomore Class after having belonged to the Senior and then
came back last Summer to enter a Junior. I did not envy him at all as now the sooner
out I say, the better.

Thus I spent the time until dinner time when we went to Willard’s2 and ate a good dinner in a very comfortable room which I
had never seen before. Thomas is the most singular character I have yet met with and
I can make less and less of him every day. A little while more being spent in my
room we again sat forward for Quincy, I having obtained all the clothes I wished.
We
went to Boston over the Mill Dam3 and just cutting
one corner of the city we rode back making the ride as long as possible by the
turnings and variety of windings to different places.

At length we arrived and I finished the afternoon’s employment by reading four
Satires of Young.4 I have got a prejudice against
this author which will not allow me to give a fair criticism of his works. I
therefore shall only say that he is in all things too elaborate for me. He stings
too much as if he intended to sting at first with all the fury imaginable. My
meaning is that he appears as if he was cool when he sat down to write violently.
I
have seen John do it and have disliked it in him. Mr. Edmund and Miss Susan
Quincy5 stepped in for one { 153 } minute and then departed, much to my joy. They are amazingly unpleasant people to
me.

The evening was spent much in the usual way, except that I finished Mr. Cartwrights
book to my Grandfather and read some of Mr. Quincy’s message6 which I thought was very bombastical—this is my own opinion
however and much in opposition to that of the family. The ladies had been at Mr.
Beal’s7 but returned early and we were all very
much as usual. XI:35.

1. Possibly William H. Morgan, of New Orleans, who became a junior at Harvard next
year, but never seems to have graduated (Harvard Annual Cat., 1824).

2. Willard’s Tavern, in Harvard Square on the corner of what is now Dunster
Street.

3. The Mill Dam or causeway, opened in 1821, ran along the line of the present
Beacon Street from Charles Street to Sewall’s Point in Brookline. Fifty feet wide,
one and a half miles long, and carrying a toll road, the Dam was to provide water
power for mill sites. Yet, by enclosing (and creating) about six hundred acres of
land, the Dam “was to change the shape of Boston more completely than any other
single undertaking in its history.” See Whitehill, Boston: A Topographical History, p. 88, 90, 92–94,
141.

5. Edmund Quincy (1808–1877), the future abolitionist, was the son of Josiah Quincy
(currently Mayor of Boston and later President of Harvard) and a freshman at
Harvard. Eliza Susan Quincy (1798–1884), artist, diarist, and family annalist, was
Edmund’s sister. See Adams Genealogy.

6. Josiah Quincy’s inaugural address to the City Council of Boston on entering his
second term as mayor, 1 May. It was published in pamphlet form and was reprinted
in Quincy’s Municipal History of the Town and City of
Boston, Boston, 1852, p. 379–388.

7. The Beale family lived next door to the Old House, beyond the Adamses’ garden, on
present Adams Street in Quincy.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0006-0022

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-05-22

Saturday. May 22d. VIII:30.

The ladies having become exceedingly scandalized at our late hours of rising sent
up breakfast to us before we were up, thinking probably this might be a punishment
whereas it was a great convenience. We were up nevertheless in very good season, and
spent the morning as usual, I doing nothing but writing my Journal and reading Mr.
Young. The former of which was not completed however until late as I had two days
to
write up. Much of my time was spent where I presume it will be generally, in the
ladies parlour. Quincy to me is generally a very disgusting place until I get
domesticated to it when it becomes sufficiently pleasant. Thomas being here is some
assistance also. My Journal however will go on but slowly as my indolence is all
which I can record.

This being Saturday was the proper time for Mr. Marston’s visit which was
accordingly paid. He dines here regularly on this day in the { 154 } week. Such a pompous, trifling, little-minded man I have seldom had the honor to
meet. Winding himself into the graces of the old gentleman he has the power of
twisting him round his finger by his opportunities of obtaining disclosures without
(thank God) the ability to make use of them. As it is, he only swells himself into
an idea of great importance and although by his nonsensical loquacity he has at
times made a little mischief, I am satisfied with the idea that he has not made any
more. There [are] a number of these men, the hangers on of our
family as I call them who are exceedingly disagreable to me and who consequently do
not get very good treatment from me. I am compelled to be amazingly cold to them for
I cannot be otherwise or if I can, I will not. He is the pink of courtesy and most
amazingly disagreable polite man I ever met with. Withal I pity him for he has seen
far better days and bears his adversity quite well. Perhaps had I known him wealthy
I should have observed his faults less.

I walked with the ladies to Mount Ararat alias Rock Common formerly my
Grandfather’s, now belonging to the town.1 The view
from it is beautiful. Extending to a distance of twelve or fifteen miles on all
sides. The walk is a pretty one also, though rough and wild. On our return I closed
my Journal and received a letter by my Uncle (who had been to town and brought
George out) from my Mother. She speaks of nothing but the book.2 Mr. Quincy was here also with Josiah,3 who went soon after tea. George in the dumps this evening,
which was passed as usual except that immediately after Supper I retired. Not from
fatigue but peculiar causes which at some future time I shall describe. X:15.

1. Mount Ararat was part of the Old Braintree North Common (now West Quincy), which
was divided and sold as lots after 1765. JA bought at least forty acres of the
tract, which, along with certain other lands that proved profitable as granite
quarries, he deeded to the town in 1822 for the purpose of founding a classical
school of high quality. See JA, Diary
and Autobiography, 1:xxxvii; 3:247; Pattee, Old Braintree and Quincy, p. 341–343; George Whitney,
Some Account of the Early History and Present State of the
Town of Quincy, Quincy, 1827?, p. 44.

2. The “book” discussed in LCA’s missing letter was presumably Pickering’s pamphlet.
See entry for 17 May, and note, above.

3. Josiah Quincy (1802–1882), son of Mayor Josiah Quincy, had graduated from Harvard
in 1821 and was now an attorney in Boston. Later (1845–1849) he became Mayor of
Boston. See Adams Genealogy.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0006-0023

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-05-23

Sunday. May. 23d. VIII.

Arose early, comparatively speaking with yesterday. Owing to the state of my dress,
I did not choose to attend Meeting today, so that instead of it, I accompanied my
Grandfather in his morning ride. It { 155 } was rather long than
otherwise, exhausting him more than I should have supposed fit. He has become
exceedingly infirm of late and makes me suppose that he is not one much longer for
this world. It consequently affects me considerably to be with him. Our company at
dinner today was quite large consisting of Mr. Deane1 who according to ancient custom was invited, being the Minister for the day, and
of Monsieur Degrand who came out on a visit. Two Fosters2 were here, but only one dined here. The old gentleman was
somewhat excited and told over some stories with life. They are all the same with
those I have often heard. Mr. Degrand is one of those same gentlemen mentioned
yesterday whom I cannot notice even with common politeness, but wear a tremendously
stiff neck. I believe him to be a well meaning man but I cannot relish his manners
or his mind. Doing all he could do for my Father, he has injured him materially.3 Mr. Deane is a pleasant man for a Country Parson
without much of the civility of the refined world but with good intentions and some
mind.

In the afternoon I finished Young’s Universal Passion and read one part of
Akenside’s Pleasures of Imagination.4 It is very
pretty, flowing smoothly and illustrating very beautifully an untried subject
hitherto. I also wrote my Journal. Mr. D.G. went before tea, the Fosters immediately
after. We walked in the garden where I quizzed Elizabeth concerning George
Whitney5 till the poor girl could bear it no
longer. It is some amusement to me to press this as I do suspect attachment here at
least on one side. She perhaps does not look that way. But I am sorry to say that
I
can see no better prospects. These girls appear to me to have improved astonishingly
of late, Abby by her residence at Washington and Elizabeth by emulation. They are
sufficiently pleasant, and serve to pass away our time very well.

After an hour’s sitting with Grandfather until he went to bed, we went down to
supper which we enjoyed “en famille” more than any I have had in the house. Uncle
and George in good spirits, myself so-so, and the ladies inclined to be agreable.
Some thoughts sometimes mix into these scenes. The future is ominous here, for this
house will soon see us no more. The flock which have nestled here for so long will
be spread to the four winds of Heaven, and we shall never look upon each other with
the same eyes. This evening however was spent as if nothing was in my mind but
pleasure. XII:10.

2. Mrs. James H. Foster, the former Elizabeth Smith, the wife of a Boston merchant,
was a niece of AA’s. See Adams Genealogy.

3. Degrand, a republican émigré from the French Revolution,
who was serving in the Massachusetts legislature, zeal• { 156 } ously
worked with a few others to promote JQA’s political prospects. In February he had
helped organize a mass meeting in Faneuil Hall to nominate JQA for the Presidency,
and the Republicans in the legislature confirmed the choice on 10 June. On the
national scene, however, Degrand was less deft, for he proposed offering Calhoun
the Vice-Presidency on the Adams ticket. JQA demurred, preferring Jackson, but his
friends reminded him that the General had threatened to hang the leaders of the
Hartford Convention and was consequently unpopular with the old Federalists. See
Bemis, JQA, 2:27–28.

4. Edward Young’s “Love of Fame, the Universal Passion,” and Mark Akenside, “The
Pleasures of Imagination,” both in Aikin’s British Poets.

Monday. May. 24th. VIII.

This Morning was employed as usual, I doing nothing except reading the second part
of Akenside’s Pleasures of the Imagination. My judgment upon the beauties of this
Poem is not yet made up, as a first reading will not suffice to discover them. My
thoughts here also are not under sufficient command. The rest of the morning was
spent in taking a walk with Thomas round Quincy near Mr. Miller’s1 new house. The day was warm and I felt quite tired
consequently took some luncheon for refreshment which I seldom otherwise do. In the
afternoon I wrote my Journal and accompanied my Grandfather in a short walk round
his garden which appeared to fatigue him very much indeed. He was still in good
spirits and gave me two new stories. He is less inclined to talk on serious subjects
than he used to be and more on trivial ones. I cannot strike his chord right at all.
So fatigued he was that he could hardly reach a chair.

I then wrote my Journal, and laughed heartily all the rest of the day. I was in
remarkably high spirits and made the girls laugh at my nonsense all the time. The
stage arrived and dropped an expected person—Mr. Thomas B. Adams junior. He has just
arrived from Norwich having taken up his connections from there, he now goes to West
Point where I am in hopes he will do well. It is now almost eighteen months since
I
have seen him in which time he has grown considerably and is now to all appearance
becoming a young man. I have been much struck of late with the progress of time
which makes me think that in no long time I shall myself become one of the world,
when I see my youngers coming on so. He brought out a letter from Miss Foster2 to the girls in the reading of which consisted the
rest of our amusement, it being one of the most ridiculous things I have yet seen.
Thomas purloined it and I edified the company by reading it. The correspondence of
girls, if it is of this kind, is not to be considered of such amazing importance as
young ladies make it, for more ridiculous trash is nowhere to be found. Elizabeth
became quite hysterical in hearing it. { 157 } I intended by ridiculing
this to the utmost to correct this in these girls as I could conceive no better
opportunity of lashing what they themselves are prone to. I think it will serve my
purpose.

After tea we walked into town in cavalcade and made a formal visit at Parson
Whitney’s.3 The first one I almost ever made
voluntarily in Quincy. After sitting ten minutes we returned in the same order. Mr.
Marston being at home saved me the usual task of reading to Grandfather and I was
downstairs all the evening, although my exhilaration had passed and I was rather in
the dumps as well as sick. XI:15.

Tuesday. May 25th. VIII:30.

Employed this morning as usual. We are so monotonous here at present that it is
hardly possible to obtain material enough for amusement, in my journal. I finished
the Pleasures of Imagination and wrote my Journal as usual. The family moved into
the large room today as the rest of the house is entirely unoccupied. It is the
Pleasantest part of the house so I rejoice at the circumstance. But my day was not
spent in the most agreable manner so I sat down and amused myself as well as I could
for want of my usual society in reading one of Mrs. Opie’s New Tales.1 It was the first called Mrs. Arlington’s. These are written
very pleasantly, containing a great deal of vivacity, some nature and some good
observation. Still they hold considerably to the romance of life and are too apt to
take hold foolishly of the wild ideas of youth. Novels I think are generally
injurious as they serve to increase the tendency to build castles in the air, which
is naturally strong enough. The sudden blight of these prospects is frequently the
cause of the destruction of their holders. Sheer elegance and magnificence however
wished for, it is the lot of but few to possess.

In the afternoon I wrote a letter to my mother2—it
was a wretched scrawl and I was much ashamed of it but as this is no place to do any
thing either elegantly or methodically I determined to let it go as I had made it.
I
am afraid my Journal will not appear to the best advantage when I look over it at
Cambridge but rather than let it run down to wind up at Cambridge which would be
difficult, I continue it badly. After tea I took a long walk to Milton with Thomas
in which we had { 158 } some interesting conversation concerning the
family about which I have not been able to sound his knowledge hitherto. We returned
and remained until nine o’clock in my Grandfather’s, reading the newspapers to him
which my Uncle had brought out for he had been there, and brought out with him, a
young man or boy rather a nephew of his by the name of Foster,3 a sufficiently modest young man.

I was at the table with the ladies until eleven when they retired when I had the
comfortable task of sitting up with my Uncle when he was in one of his usual
situations. It has often made me grieve to think this man should make himself a ruin
to others and to himself, possessing as he does all those qualities requisite to
make an excellent member of Society. But I fear the evil is irremediable for his own
efforts to break the vice have not been successful and consequently no one else’s
will be. XII:15.

3. Charles Phineas Foster (1806–1879), of Boston, son of Phineas and Frances
(Harrod) Foster and a member of CFA’s class at Harvard (Harvard Archives).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0006-0026

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-05-26

Wednesday. May 26th. IX.

Arose very late this morning owing to the late hour at which we retired, Thomas and
I having considerable conversation concerning the scene of last evening. We also
took a long walk and I read the remainder of Akenside’s Poems in this collection,
of
which I shall not at present think of judging. This is the day in which the State
Officers for the next year are installed in Boston, consequently it is a holiday,
it
being also the birth day of one of my Aunts children we had a remarkably comfortable
dinner of which I partook in very good spirits.

In the afternoon I wrote my Journal and finished the first volume of Miss Opie’s
Tales. “White Lies” is very good indeed although it is a story intended to injure
the very moral which she lightly inculcates in a former. The last story is too much
worked up for effect. The interest is attempted to be wound up too far. It may do
in
plays because we are willing to feel excited but not so well in novels.

In the afternoon I again took a walk, and strolled over the burying ground of the
church. Here I saw the tombs of my ancestors. Four of them descending in a direct
line from the first of the name who came to this country. Mine making the seventh
generation since we have been in the new world. In the old we have no traces. Here
I
felt inclined to muse but as Thomas Hellen was with me who is no musing character
I
was quickly interrupted and we soon returned.1

After tea, I as usual sat with my grandfather until almost nine o’clock, he
retiring much earlier than usual this evening. His curiosity and interest is lost
in
almost every thing now, few subjects will keep his mind many minutes and it requires
a person much more skilled in giving amusement or fluency than I am to amuse him.
He
will not talk on old matters now and that is almost the only thing which I am
commonly interested in with him. We came downstairs again and sat with the ladies
until they retired, they remained rather later than usual on account of it’s being
the last evening of Thomas’s stay. For my part I sat down to a good supper on bread
and cheese, I having surprizingly recovered my appetite since my regular exercise.
After this, I talked and smoked more than usual with Thomas—principally concerning
our prospects of which subject he is as fond as myself, and we thought that probably
this was the last election night as well as the first in which he and I should sit
in the old family house spending such a pleasant evening with so large though
inharmonious and still agreable family. I.

1. These tombs, furnished by JA and inscribed under his supervision, may still be
seen in the burying ground across the street from the First Church in busy Quincy
Square. They are those of Henry Adams (ca. 1583–1646), the immigrant; Joseph
(1626–1694), 7th son of Henry; Joseph (1654–1737), eldest son of the first Joseph;
and John (1692–1761), often called Deacon John, 2d son of the 2d Joseph and father
of JA. See JA, Diary and
Autobiography, 2:254-2553:254-255, and Adams Genealogy.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0006-0027

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-05-27

Thursday. May. 27th. VIII:30.

Thomas Hellen took his leave this morning for Exeter, evidently much against his
will. He is quite agreable and when he shall have lost a little of his confidence,
obtained I know not how, he will do very well. Great assurance in a young man is
very disagreable and I would rather see him err on the side of modesty or timidity.
The latter is by far the most easily corrected.

After breakfast I took a walk to see the canal which is digging, by whom no person
knows.1 I also read all the poems of Gray, which
are in this collection.2 This is an author who has
always been a great favourite of mine although so severely lashed by Dr. Johnson.
His elegy and Bard are very beautiful specimens of the pathetic and sublime. His
other odes are sweet but require keener observation than I can at present afford.
His poems, I have reserved for frequent examination. I employed the rest of the day
in reading Mrs. Opie’s second volume of the New Tales. They are extremely
interesting but still more subject to the observation made yesterday. In the
“Confes• { 160 } sions of an Odd tempered Man” I find a character very
much resembling my own although rather strained, for dramatic effect.3 Caprice is a prevailing passion with me in the light world,
and I am very unconscionable in my dislikes of women and take prejudices
immediately. My own character has been matter of some contemplation to myself and
although I will not pretend to come to any decision concerning it, I think that I
have some hints. At any rate, I know that by some singular idea, I am ever desirous
to conceal the best traits of my character.

In the evening a young lady by the name of Cooper came out to pay a visit to the
girls. Who she is, I know not. She is not pretty nor interesting. My Uncle also
returned from Boston where he went in the morning. I spent an hour in the evening
with my Grandfather in conversation concerning books and some time in the parlour
although I see no family group half so pleasing now and I have again retired within
my shell, after an uncommon exertion and satisfactory proof to the women that “I can
be agreable when I am inclined to be so.” Now this is not much matter of importance
to me. I had this evening the pleasure of sitting with my Uncle alone, in one of his
usual fits, and I thought it somewhat singular that young girls should be invited
by
our ladies to this house only to see the disgrace of their father and to feel—if
they at all in the proportion as I do, I pity them.4
I pleaded being very sleepy owing to my last night’s vigil and got away early.
XI:25.

1. A private citizen of Quincy, Joshua Torrey, projected a canal in 1824 that would
run from the head of the creek, east of the old almshouse, almost to the meeting
house. The town was unable to assist him, and he discontinued the work. A year
later other Quincy residents began a new canal, which was to follow a stream
called Town River from the Tidemill up as far as the Stone Bridge on the Hingham
and Quincy turnpike. The work was completed in 1826, but the canal proved
unprofitable and was finally abandoned. See Pattee, Old Braintree and Quincy, p. 104–105.

2. Thomas Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Church-Yard” and “The Bard” are
included in Aikin’s British
Poets.

3. CFA identified himself with the narrator of the story, Henry Aubrey, a man of
affections and sensibility who consciously retreated behind an “impenetrable
coldness” in order to protect his independence and ego. Aubrey’s unnatural
behavior cost him his wife, child, and future happiness.

Friday May 28th. IX:10.

Up very late this morning, so that the morning passed rapidly. I finished Mrs. Opie
and read the small and short productions of Smollett1 in Aikin’s Collection. The commencement of the Ode to { 161 } Independence is beautiful and the whole is not moderate poetry by any means.

The young lady who came here yesterday expected her brother to carry her back to
Boston. He accordingly came and spent all the afternoon. Having accidentally fallen
into his company, I was detained by him all the afternoon. After some conversation
concerning our College institutions in which he made many inquiries and I had to
tell him all the old story of the last year’s rebellion2 he compelled me in civility to walk with him to the top of
the hill opposite to the house—this was a task not the most relishing to me but I
did it and he talked very wisely for some time concerning the view while the day was
as misty as it conveniently might be with a little sprinkling of rain. It was most
excessively hot withal so that I had given up walking after attempting it in the
morning but civility conquers all things.

Returning I accompanied him to the library where he professed to show a great deal
of knowledge, and made some of the most awkward blunders I ever heard. He wanted to
know if the Koran was not a religious book of the Jews, and if it was not very rare;
who was the author of the Federalist and if that was not very uncommon; he talked
of
Lytteltons3 Essays instead of his Henry 2d. and
made many similar mistakes in about ten minutes, making comments upon all these
withal. By this I soon set him down for a shallow fellow with some assurance. I was
not displeased with him as he was not impertinent and was only desirous to conceal
ignorance and expose all the knowledge which he possessed. This certainly was but
small whether by his own fault or that of others, [and] decides his
character. I then walked in the garden with him and so got rid of him. I then went
to the Office4 to write my Journal but was unable as
my Uncle was in a talking humour being under the influence of this fire which he
perpetually takes. We talked Politics until tea was announced when I was
unexpectedly announced into a large tea room, full of company. Dressed as I was, I
began to feel foolishly, but immediately recollecting it was Quincy, I put on my
usual brass. Mr. Marston and family were here but went off at nine. So did Cooper
and sister. I forgot to mention that Thomas went to Boston and brought his aunt and
cousin Mrs. and Miss Harrod5 to spend a few days.
Some other invited young ladies had a little dance on the carpet. I went to bed
early. XI.

2. Intermittently there had heen student riots at Harvard, but the “Great Rebellion”
of 1823 revealed both instructional and disciplinary inadequacies. The immediate
cause of the riot—an “obedient black” informed on one of the “high fellows”—was
unimportant; the significant fact was that the “uncom• { 162 } monly
rowdy” class of 1823 was so little inspired by the curriculum that it chose to
leave college rather than see its hero dismissed and the informant rewarded.
Forty-three of the rebels were expelled (including JA2, whose father pleaded with
the faculty for leniency), and only generations later were twenty-five of them
granted A.B. degrees as of 1823. See Morison, Three Centuries of Harvard, p. 230–231. For the later
story of reform at Harvard, see entry for 17 May,
and note, above.

4. The “Office” at the Adams homestead meant the rambling frame structure close
behind the family residence. This building is partly visible in some of the early
views of the Old House and was used for many purposes. It was the farm office; it
was at times occupied by tenants and caretakers; and for nearly a century one or
more of its upper rooms held most of the immense accumulations of the Adamses’
books. At length in 1869 CFA had it torn down to make room for an extension of the
kitchen of the main house and to improve the site of the Stone Library that he
built soon afterward.

Saturday. May. 29th. VIII:20.

After a breakfast a la Solitaire, I sat with the family all the Morning neglecting
my usual walk which I find has been of such advantage to me since my stay here. Mrs.
Harrod the sister in law of Mrs. Adams appears to be a woman perfectly versed in the
really “bon ton” of society. She has more ease than I expected and appears a lady
of
very good breeding. The contrast is always striking between natural and artificial
manners and makes me a convert to one great point of aristocracy, that is, the real
difference which does exist between men bred naturally and those who have formed
themselves. The latter are always over civil but not half so agreable. The little
girl has come here to be put to School at Miss Marston’s which is now quite a
flourishing academy.1 Deservedly I think for I
believe the women to be really worthy although they breathe a little too much of the
spirit of methodistical piety.

I read a short poem of Lyttelton’s which is in the rural style consequently is not
remarkably apt for criticism. Thus I passed the day, about as slothfully take it
altogether as any this vacation. I did not notice that I was in a passion at Mrs.
A.
last night, she disclosing herself for once and speaking of the Adams family in such
a way as to put me in a violent passion. I subdued it however and so I thought it
necessary only to mention the circumstance without particulars.

In the afternoon George came out in the stage as usual and after a walk in the
garden we went in, I immediately to my Grandfather where I read a part of an article
in the last North American Review. It was on a History of Philosophy.2 I did not see enough to judge as I stopped at nine o’clock.
From here I came to supper and was doomed { 163 } to a severe trial of my
temper. My Uncle sitting next to me took occasion to be affronted at me for what I
do not know, but he tried to provoke me into a quarrel with him. Many bitter things
he said which stirred my blood but conscious of the extreme folly of making a
difficulty with him I remained silent. This being perceived, he sprang up and went
off declaring that there was no congeniality among us. This took off the chill which
had been thrown upon the company but my blood was running fast all the evening. And
I was fearful my absence would be noticed. After the family had retired, he came in
cooled down, and we spent half an hour with him before going upstairs. I could not
sleep until long after I laid down but spent the time in conversation with George
on
the subject of the whole of that family and our own. XI: 30.

1. The Misses Marston (two sisters) conducted a school for girls which attracted the
elite of Quincy and Boston. It was located on the site where St. John’s Cathedral
was later built (Pattee, Old Braintree
and Quincy, p. 341).

Sunday. May. 30th. IX:15.

Owing to the heat of the night, the jarring of the [ . . . ]1 last evening it was long before I became sufficiently
composed to sleep and when I did nothing could rouse me until very late. I
determined to go to Meeting this Morning where I heard Mr. Gray deliver a sensible
sermon as far as I could judge, for I was still very sleepy. He also dined here. I
am quite inclined to like him although I disapproved of his conduct in the old
rebellion as I thought he meddled very much in matters which concerned him little.
I
nonetheless am pleased with his manners and conversation. He was a classmate of my
Uncle’s at College.2 I made some inquiries
concerning the new system to be introduced at Cambridge.3 It appears pretty evidently that my own class will not be
materially affected by this change. In the afternoon, I did not attend but after
writing my Journal I laid down on the Sofa and slept until nearly tea time. I do not
know what was the reason but I presume these late nights have caused my
weariness.

After tea I took exercise in the garden for two hours and had a great deal of
conversation with George on the subject of Mary and Uncle and our family. I foresee
a good deal of trouble to himself from this intended match and he poor fellow has
some bitter moments of thought on the subject. It is an affair which will cause me
some trouble as I am in a situation to give him under the slightest pretexts, { 164 } ideas which he too freely indulges even now—but involuntarily. We
talked of the affairs of my Uncle and I tried to sound him on the subject of a
change but he has heard nothing on the matter from my Father.4 It is singular since my urgent representations that nothing
has been done by him.

It was not till quite late that we returned to the house and when we did, we found
a large collection of company. The Marston family, a Mr. and Mrs. D’Wolf, Miss
Caroline and George Whitney. I addressed myself to none except the last, with whom
I
had a few minutes nonsensical conversation. He has turned quite a fop of late as he
is about to pur[sue] his studies in the ministry immediately after
graduating. I teaze Miss Elizabeth somewhat concerning him. They went off at nine
o’clock. Afterwards we were gratified by a little public singing. For my part I was
more amused. My Uncle was in his usual way and got into a course of conversation
which illustrated his private feelings. His wife writhed under the lash to my
satisfaction. We soon retired however and before I slept I had some further
discourse with George. XI:15.

4. JQA had authorized TBA to control and to pay out CFA’s college allowance, and CFA
wanted to manage the money himself. See entries for 4
June and 24 Sept., below.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0006-0031

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-05-31

Monday. May 31st. IX.

George went this morning before I was up and Mrs. Harrod still remained one day
more with us. It is somewhat to my surprise as it must be as uncomfortable to
strangers to be here as it is to the family. I am most surprised by the willingness
with which invitations are given. My Uncle did not appear until very late at dinner
and when he did, in such a humour that he made himself extremely disgusting. He is
one of the most unpleasant characters in this world, in his present degradation,
being a brute in his manners and a bully in his family. No one addressed a syllable
to him and he went off in a rage. The younger part of the family appear considerably
affected by it. His wife suffers also and could one think of her with good feelings
it would be well. But her temper in my opinion has been his ruin.

I read some of Percival’s poems,1 two or three of
which were very pretty. I do not generally speaking admire them as they are
imitations of powerful poets such as Byron with but half his force and withal { 165 } they are too dreadfully lovesick. Poor Elizabeth indulges deeply in
day dreams and will before long suffer all the disappointments attending their
results. I found in examining the book which was here, many of the most romantic
passages marked. I pity her. I also finished Lyttelton’s Poems today and the eighth
volume of Aikin’s Poets. I found on reading that addressed to Dr. Ayscough, the
lines which my Grandfather supposed his own and which he had written of himself in
a
letter to Cunningham.2 They were originally of the
Conde. I read them to him and he appeared pleased at my having found them. They are
very good lines. I have not examined critically this poetry—there are a few songs
but none of them very pretty.

In the evening I took a long walk with Thomas and had some conversation with him
but all of a frivolous kind. I am afraid he is destined to make one more of the Army
Fops and not be an honourable exception to the rule. I do not find much thought in
his conversation but all that family have learned to be such accomplished
dissemblers, that I will not make an immediate decision.

After this I spent half an hour with my Grandfather reading to him part of a Review
in the North American besides a little conversation. I then came to Supper, the
Family retired instantly and I was left as usual with my Uncle. He was however in
very good humour and amused me as much as I ever am amused by a scene in which I am
forced to feel so much sorrow and to make such painful reflections. XI.

1. A selection of the four volumes that James Gates Percival had so far published
appeared as Poems, N.Y., 1823; reprinted London, 1824 (DAB).

In his letter to William Cunningham Jr., dated 25 November 1808,
JA quoted the lines, substituting “Adams” for “Condé.” See Correspondence between the Hon. John Adams . . . and the Late William
Cunningham, Esq., p. 55. For a discussion of these letters, see entry for
17 May, and note,
above.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0006-0032

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-05

Review of the Month of May. 1824.

On reexamining attentively and impartially my Journal for the preceding Month and
comparing it with the plans with which I had started, I have come to the decision
that the perusal is honourable to myself, for that every duty was performed strictly
and critically { 166 } according to my promise. I have still somewhat to
answer for. On the subject of reading, I have finished Mosheim, Moliere and have
regularly continued the English Poets. My remarks have generally been such as I
presumed they would except that there is a slight falling off in the latter
criticisms on the Poets. I have not done much in the vacation but this may be
attributed to my feelings of exhaustion and the actual want of relaxation on my
part. My delineation of character has been carried on as intended except that my
intention is to develop it rather incidentally than elaborately. This plan will
ensure more correctness in my inferences or at least will better allow me to correct
mistakes on revision as I shall know the motives which influenced me in drawing
them. Hitherto I can only say I have done pretty well. My own conduct has been
moderately correct. I have been angry once for which I was sorry. I have been unduly
exhilarated once which I have bitterly suffered for—further I am conscious of no
guilt. My lectures have been regularly attended and my notes to them are entirely
satisfactory to my recollection. On the whole, I have done as well as could be
expected, and while I am the more strongly incited to persevere in my present plan
and hereafter mend my former faults, I shall not regret a frequent reperusal of the
past.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0007-0001

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-06-01

Tuesday. June. 1st. IX.

Arose much as usual. Mrs. Harrod went to Boston this Morning with Mrs. Adams and
Thomas. Her little daughter who is really a beautiful girl went to Miss Marston’s
to
remain for the future. Thus the house was quite deserted. I laid down it being a
remarkably warm day and it being the first day of June I read according to my
decision the Summer of Thomson. And as usual was much pleased with it. The
description is good for a hot day. Indeed I should suppose my plan of reading them
in the appropriate Seasons would always be the proper way most to relish them.

My Grandfather deciding a ride, I accompanied him. He is amazingly weak and
overcome by the present degree of heat. His ride today was rather longer than usual
as he first went the usual route, to the foot of Penn’s Hill and then to the new
Canal, calling on Mr. Marston in the mean time. He was impertinent indeed upon the
subject of that letter.1 His general character of a
meddlar with the affairs of an old man is very disagreable to our family.

Returning, I found the family in a flutter because my Uncle had decided to go off.
I went over to talk with him but only received { 167 } insults as he was
raving. He refused any thing farther to do with me. Consequently I immediately went
in and wrote a letter2 home to my father stating the
case in respectful but decided terms. I cannot bear a life like this even with
extraordinary indulgence. My Uncle could not be persuaded and therefore after many
unsuccessful attempts he went in the Stage to Boston. Our dinner was a melancholy
one. It was warm and we ate nothing. Elizabeth too much affected to come down. The
trial for these poor children is great. Mrs. Adams and Thomas returned early. I
wandered over the house like a ghost for none were in a humour to speak a word.
Indeed at times like these it is impossible to conceive how uncomfortable the house
is. There are times when these materials thrown fortunately together will form an
agreable company and will amuse but when they come together at odds and ends there
is no more disagreable situation than being with them. I walked in the garden some
time, alone, musing as is my fashion. I was so weakened by the heat however that I
became soon fatigued. The rest of the evening was spent in the parlour, this was
short, for the family from obvious reasons were very dull. X.

Wednesday. June. 2d. VIII:35.

Owing to unusual negligence I did not close the month of May until today. I did not
enter the office yesterday as I supposed that my Uncle was not in a mood to bear my
presence with much coolness as I had also spoken pretty warmly. I was only able to
finish the month of May today as I had not good opportunity to read over the Journal
for the month in order to write a review. I was very politely turned out of the
office and therefore went to sit with the industrious people who are fitting out
Thomas for West Point. My stock of regular Poetry is exhausted so I took up a copy
of Chesterfield1 and entertained myself with it
until dinner. It appears really one of the most valuable books in the language as
it
contains the true directions to make a man pleasing to the world in general and this
certainly is a desirable art.

Mrs. Adams was in a terrible humour all day and has been sour this week. Probably
on account of these family difficulties. She is a woman whose equal will seldom be
found. I am a prejudiced man as respects her character. I see so much to blame that
I can see nothing to praise. Extravagant without the means and knowing that she
plunges her husband deeper in his wretchedness, at every step she takes, she does
not mind it, cunning and deceitful, hypocritical to { 168 } a degree
beyond belief and malicious as a serpent. She has done more to hurt the peace of our
family than any one. She is kind to her children and attached to her blood relations
however, and has some deep feeling for her husband—at least has had for it is now
pretty nearly gone. Her character is decidedly bad as she is ungrateful and
unprincipled in revenge. A mass of pride withal which would dignify the most immense
lady in the universe. She is too unpleasant a subject for me to dwell upon. All my
regret is that she has two young girls to teach hypocrisy by her example—and I am
sorry to say that it has been done with effect.

After dinner I walked down with Thomas to Hingham bridge or Ben’s point as they
call it, where we fished for some time with not much success. We staid until late,
by quick walking, got home to tea. The family went to Mr. Marston’s in the evening,
whilst I, after some conversation with Louisa in which she displayed her bitterness
sufficiently, went into my Grandfather’s room and read to him a part of the North
American Review. I whipped little Joseph2 this
evening for naughty behaviour at tea. Spent a little while in the parlour after the
familys return. XI.

1. No Adams copy of the 4th Earl of Chesterfield’s famous Letters
to His Son, first published London, 1774, has been found. In 1776 JA had
proscribed this work as reading for AA; see Adams Family Correspondence, 1:359, 376, 389.

Thursday. June 3d. IX.

I was compelled to change my determination of returning to Cambridge today partly
by the result of the conversation with my Uncle on the other day and partly by the
rainy weather and cold wind with which we were affected today. I staid in the house
all day. Most of it being spent in my Grandfather’s room reading to him. I went over
almost all the articles in the North American Review. Most of which I had read
before at Cambridge. They did not interest me, with the exception of that on
Wordsworth’s Poems1 which I was happy to read again
as my opinion of the poet is still farther confirmed. If his poetry is good then I
do not know what poetry is not? This is the course of the words of the reviewer and
my settled opinion. A weak poet can be forgiven, a silly one, never. I also read to
him a notice of Irving’s Orations2 with some
extracts. I like parts. He said it might be good but he did not understand it. I
have been of late, surprised to find the method he has of regularly constructing his
sentences when he speaks of any thing warmly, arranging his words as he goes on and
chang• { 169 } ing them when not perfectly correct. I presume this comes
from a habit of public speaking.

My Uncle returned to day from Dedham not having been any further on his intended
journey. Somebody came with him in a chaise. I did not see him as he did not make
his appearance in the house. In mentioning this to my Grandfather I heard him say
more than usual on the unfortunate conduct of his sons—he laments the fate which has
thrown so much gloom over our house, something was necessary to check our pride and
we have suffered bitterly. We should have been crushed, had the Sons all been
distinguished, but now while the World respects us, it at the same
[time] pities our misfortune and this pity destroys the envy
which would otherwise arise. So we see that some good comes from even the worst
evil. Having been with him all day, I spent the Evening in the Parlour with the
ladies. Something dull still hangs over them. Mrs. Adams is still angry with me for
handling Joseph as I did last night. It was intolerable however and I did what I
have often done and what has made many angry with me. I have become quite pleased
with the girls, particularly Abby, since my stay. She is so easy and obedient in
temper to all appearance, a thing I like in a woman. This is not her character in
Quincy. XI.

2. Edward Irving (1792–1834), a Scottish religious enthusiast, published, among
other works, For the Oracles of God, Four Orations, London,
1824. A Philadelphia edition of the same year is in the Stone Library.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0007-0004

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-06-04

Friday. June 4th. VIII:15.

Upon rising this Morning, I found the weather bad for my intended departure, but
would not suffer that to prevent so I made my preparations. My Uncle much to my
surprise and pleasure, gave me a check upon the Bank amply sufficient for all my
demands. This is the way he treats me. At one time abusing me with all his might and
throwing me off and at another satisfying my farthest wish. I have now got so far
in
College however that it is impossible now to be in want of Money so that I should
prefer some arrangement by which I could look for something stable. This being done
and having taken leave of the Family, my Grandfather and all, I got into a chaise
with Thomas and drove off for Boston. We did not enjoy our ride much, it being cold
and foggy.

Arrived in Boston, I first went to the Bank then to settle an Account for Thomas at
a Mr. Marshall’s,1 and then to Dr. Welsh’s where I
dined and had some conversation with George who is in very low { 170 } spirits about a most silly trifling affair. Some difficulty with his lover about whom he makes himself most exceedingly ridiculous.
He is a singular compound. He has remarkable talents with the weakness of a child;
in purpose, he has no government over his own feelings and passions, is easily a
dupe and in short as Mrs. Clarke said “has every sense but common sense.” The victim
of the most inordinate vanity, he will suffer himself to be gulled by the praises
which every artful man chooses to pour into his ear and he has already found too
many of those for his own comfort in this world. I am sorry and hope for the
best.

The dinner was pleasant. Miss Harriet Welsh being always talkative and the Dr. so
so. Politics were the subject and George discussed learnedly many points of human
nature which he has just taken occasion to discover. He is positive and warm which
makes him unpleasant in argument. Thomas having come, for I separated from him as
soon as we got to town, I set off immediately for Cambridge where we arrived at
about four o’clock. He staid here a little while and then returned leaving me to
think of a new term. I spent part of the afternoon at the reading room meeting no
one but Lothrop.2 Wheatland, the only one of our
house who had returned. Having the headache I remained up only long enough to read
Goldsmith’s poems in Aikin and the two first Chapters in Genesis. IX:15.

2. Samuel Kirkland Lothrop (1804–1886), Harvard 1825, S.T.D. 1828, became a
Unitarian preacher and after 1834 was minister of the Brattle Square Church in
Boston (Appletons’ Cyclo. Amer.
Biog.).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0007-0005

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-06-05

Saturday. June 5th. VII:30.

I did not attend Prayers this Morning as they were voluntary and it would have been
too sudden a change from my late habits. It is my intention however to arise early
as it is both pleasant and profitable in the Summer. I have returned in very
excellent spirits as this is a short and pleasant term. Our exercises are not very
difficult although more so than at any time formerly. We also have an interesting
course of lectures from Professor Channing. I spent this Morning in writing a letter
to John in answer to an admirable one which I received yesterday from him.1 He writes with uncommon ease and with more real interest
and feeling than usual. On the subject of the difference between him and George, I
spoke or wrote with a really good intention because I think it may result seriously
to both parties. George certainly has treated us with a great deal of caprice. Did
I
not know { 171 } him so well, I would scarcely compel myself to forgive
him so easily. I was charmed with his letter, so much feeling and so much
sportiveness that I felt as if another joy had arrived to make me perfectly happy
here. Indeed I can scarcely think that at any time I have come nearer to the great
object of human life. The beautiful season of the year and the tone of my feelings
conduce to it. Perhaps I might feel more so were I in love, but I know the
consequences of that by experience.

Dwight made his appearance at breakfast but any ill feelings which I had
apprehended did not make their appearance and I welcomed him as he did me, as if
nothing in this world had happened. I nevertheless shall not feel certain until we
come to an explanation. I was not able to do any thing of importance in the
afternoon. I read two Chapters of Genesis in the Morning and all the poems of
Johnson2 in Aikin’s Collection. Three of
Goldsmith’s yesterday I did not notice for want of room. They are very pretty and
have sweetness, richness without that weakness which so often marks Poems of this
sort. In this term I propose to read over often many of these poems and on this
account make but short Criticisms now. Of Johnson I can only say that his lines are
strong and rough but full of sense and must be allowed to laugh when I think of his
change in his opinions, political and domestic. For here his praises of the
opposition to royalty and of the country are as strong and vehement as the reverse
is in many other of his writings in prose. In truth the Dr. did not mind consistency
much.

But how rare an article this is in common life and so far from blaming any one for
wanting the possession of it, we should praise when it is obtained. Every man is
inconsistent for he thinks differently at different times and gives good reasons for
each conviction. The difference is that they operate upon him with more force as his
situation is. I lounged to the Bookstore and then back again. Brenan was with me and
we sat down before the door and smoked all the afternoon. Richardson returned this
afternoon and was with us. He does not look so well as he did before he went away.
His recovery however has been very remarkable. Our conversation was not of an
important kind, Brenan is a pleasant fellow. His character has undergone some
changes for the better within nine months. He has become less cynical and
suspicious, a temper which only grew upon him by his unfortunate luck of being
unpopular upon entering College. It has in one respect been of great advantage to
him as he has turned his attention to study and made himself a scholar which he
never would { 172 } have been otherwise. By this I do not mean a College
scholar but a student and a gainer of knowledge. I have some respect for his
character and like the man. Richardson is pleasant now but how long he will continue
so to me I know not. I like his temper for it’s easy bent, but his dogged sullenness
is very disagreable. In the Evening the rest of our friends and companions came
pouring in. Sheafe arrived in a Carriage from Boston just at tea time. Otis a little
later in the evening.

In this term, it is hardly possible to do any thing but walk and look at the Moon
and Stars in the Cool of the day or Night. I took a walk with Wheatland and did not
return until nearly nine. A few minutes were spent at his room talking with Otis who
is more agreable than usual. A mere every day acquaintance with him would be more
to
his advantage than any intimacy. The rest of the time until eleven o’clock was
employed in reading over my Journal for the Month of May and writing my Review. It
was not so long as I had intended to write but My ideas are always rendered as
concisely by me as possible and on that account deceive me very much in their number
and magnitude on paper. I thus closed the Evening by reading two Chapters in Genesis
a habit which I have laid on myself for the purpose of examining that Bible from
which I have long been absent. XI.

Sunday. June 6th. VII:30.

Missed Prayers this Morning, this being the last which it is my intention to allow
myself to lay in bed without sufficient reason. I employed the Morning in writing
up
my Journal and reading two Chapters in the Bible. Then I went to Chapel and heard
Dr. Ware. The day was exceedingly warm and the Chapel suffocating in consequence.
The sermon was short however and we were relieved.

I read on my return the two first books of Armstrong’s1 “Art of Preserving Health.” A very pretty poem indeed with
a great deal of variety in its subject and a great deal of skill displayed in
handling so remarkable a subject. It is handled in a way to afford a great deal of
amusement and some instruction. In the afternoon after spending my leisure time in
writing still more of my Journal I went and heard the President who delivered his
Sermon at the commencement of the term much in his usual way. I have had some
trouble today in returning the nods of the class. Dwight yesterday said, “when I
come back here how few there are whom I am glad to see” and I echo the saying { 173 } with emphasis. Of all the students whom I have yet seen there are
but about five who are in the real meaning of the word good friends. These I may
call Dwight, Chapman, Brenan, Sheafe—I miscounted, there are but four and to fill
the number I must name Tudor who has not yet arrived. I have not the same feeling
towards College that I used to have. My class do not interest me, I visit few of
them and feel so independent of them that I scarcely should know that they have any
connexion were it not for the recitations which we go in together. This is nowadays
the feeling of College there being little of that fellowship left which used to
actuate all so forcibly in former days. Men are all independent and cold. I may
perhaps have to congratulate myself that I have even found so many friends as I am
bold enough to set down.

In the Evening All the Lyceum went to walk together. It is fortunate for us perhaps
that some of us are soon going to divide for the disgust which is so long contained
will at some time express itself if held too long. Five weeks are now remaining for
us to have a good friend in the world whom perhaps if he were to stay I for one
might turn into a bitter enemy. For these things rankle. The night was beautiful and
the walk delightful. After some conversation at Otis I went to my room and read over
my Astronomy. X:20.

Monday. June 7th. V:45.

Arose and attended Prayers, and recitation in Astronomy half an hour afterwards.
Very much to my surprise Mr. Heyward called upon me and I did not acquit myself very
handsomely. It being Artillery Election day1 in
Boston I did not have any exercises and spent the day at home principally; in the
Morning I closed the account with my Journal which had been unavoidably neglected.
Perhaps this is not a good reason but I was so [conscious?] that my situation and want of accommodations2 made me write it without the care which I was desirous to
bestow that I at length determined although it has been quite a labour, in
consequence, to write it here. I also finished Armstrong’s Poem on Health. I have
never met with it before and am quite surprised that it has been suffered to be
neglected. But it is on a subject which is not generally consonant with Poetry. I
am
very much pleased I must confess as it combines a great deal of utility with good
advice—something which is not requisite to good poetry and consequently an
additional advantage when given.

In the afternoon I did little but lounge in Sheafe’s room, at my own and at the
bookstore. All our society out of town except Wheatland and Sheafe. I am very fond
of the latter fellow, he has such an excellent disposition and at the same time
knows so well the rules of good society and manners. Qualities which from some
reason or other are not very common here. Otis has them—but he has not one essential
quality which the former possesses, generosity. This is an extreme fault in a young
man. At the Athenaeum I read a few articles from the last New Monthly Magazine. They
are quite interesting and I regretted much my being compelled to break off a pretty
story by the bell which announced Prayers.

After tea I went to take a walk as usual with Sheafe and Richardson who had
returned from home. I was not gone so long as common because a cloud and some drops
warned us to retreat which we did, but it did not rain much. Returning to my room
I
employed the Evening in making out Accounts for the Members of the Clubs to whom I
am treasurer and my own. I settled with my Landlord, Mr. Saunders’, also and
arranged my own affairs. To keep these distinct accounts is no inconsiderable
trouble. I then solaced myself with two or three of Bacon’s Essays and read two
Chapters in Genesis as usual. I did the same in the Morning. X:5.

1. Incorporated in 1628, the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company was the oldest
military organization in the nation. The first Monday in June was the company’s
anniversary and, apparently, the time when new officers were elected. Usually a
parade, a sermon, and a dinner over which the governor presided highlighted the
day’s events, while a Fall Field Day was the main end-of-year occasion (Bacon’s Dict. of Boston, p.
14).

Tuesday. June 8th. V:15.

Arose and after reading two Chapters in Genesis, attended Prayers, after which I
looked over the Review of Enfield which was set us as a preparation for Examination.
I was not at Cambridge while it was learnt so that I could make but little of it.
I
was not called upon however. After breakfast I wrote my Journal and employed the
Morning as well as I could. We have news of a call of the Legislature of New York
and the probable consequence a change of the Electoral law. I doubt this latter
event very much though.1 Politics are assuming more
an appearance of action and less of Newspaper controversy than formerly.

We had no lesson for the morning as a miss is always given at the Commencement of
a
book. We now begin Trigonometry a part of { 175 } Mathematics from which
I would willingly be excused as it will be impossible for me to understand an
advanced branch not knowing the previous steps. I did not attend today and regret
it
because I might have had an opportunity of speaking to him which I may not now
obtain. I read the poems of the two Wartons2 today
and was much pleased with the sprightliness of the verse and its melody. The younger
is the finer poet of the two although I think there is not very material difference.
I like the short and rapid verse in which they write, very well. The ode to
Melancholy is a sweet thing and describes feelings which to me are well known and
which certainly are the sweetest or pleasantest that man here enjoys. They destroy
him in life but certainly they are the most delicious for an epicure in mind that
he
can indulge in.

In the afternoon it being very warm I took some Porter and lounged the afternoon
most lazily away, Richardson being here also. It was [ . . . ] from the same reason
that the morning was [ . . . ] as we went to Dr. Popkin for a lesson in Greek Testament
with which we close our Greek studies at Cambridge. I then went to Brenans where I
spent an hour conversing concerning the character of different individuals at
Cambridge. We were talking principally of Miller3
when the gentleman made his appearance. After some trivial talk, I came away and did
nothing at my room until Prayers. After these I walked to Fresh Pond with a number
of our house. The New hotel is very prettily situated and would make quite a sweet
summer habitation. Returning, I spent an hour at Otis room talking then came down,
read two Chapters in the Bible and went to bed after having spent one day in almost
utter idleness. I am quite ashamed to insert such a notice here. X:15.

1. The critical New York legislature was almost evenly divided between the
supporters of JQA and Crawford, with Clay’s friends holding the balance of power.
Admonishing his New York followers not to make any deals, JQA urged them to delay
the legislature’s decision as long as possible, so that pro-Adams sentiment could
gather, and to work for a new election law, which would allow the people to vote
directly for the state’s electors. For an earlier report on the New York political
situation, see entry for 25 Jan., above.

Wednesday. June 9th. VI.

Attended Prayers, but was very late in getting up. My walk of last Evening had
fatigued me so much, that I slept more soundly than usual. As I was absent during
nearly all the day’s review I excused myself to Mr. Hayward and consequently made
up
my Chapters in { 176 } the Bible in the interval. At study bell we
attended Mr. Channings first Lecture. It was an introductory one detailing the
dangers to which students were liable—they were likely to become too proud of their
knowledge and therefore sceptical. He adverted to the danger of falling into a way
of studying not for the sake of improvement in their own happiness but to show their
acquisition, to be actuated by motives of ambition, and not read books for their
sake as pleasure and gratification but as a path to become distinguished. In this
way he said the heart became callous to the finer feelings of nature and wholly
engrossed in the pursuit of fame. The things which were most to be dreaded by
persons in pursuit of knowledge in short, he said, were pride which leads to
scepticism, and ambition which destroys all good and moral feeling. He was highly
moral throughout. The style is easy and pleasing, the manner is not tolerable. He
has never been possessed of the graces and has sundry peculiarities which are
certainly not pleasing, I might say, disgusting. I had to complain of his want of
purpose in this lecture as I saw nothing in the Essay which had a direct reference
to the matter in point. In future I propose to take notes at the time and write his
sentiments more fully as I propose to compare them with those of my father on the
same subject at some future time. I wish to judge as fairly of Mr. Channing as
possible. I have no reason to admire the man and therefore shall be cautious.1

I returned home after a few minutes at the reading room, and prepared myself for a
recitation to Mr. Farrar in Trigonometry. He is much of a scare crow to students as
he has a greater desire to make them learn really and truly, than any other members
of the government. I recited to him not very well however. As this is a study which
I do not wish to pursue, I am not anxious. I had intended speaking to him today but
I was so hurried by the next division that it was not in my power. I am fixed
however in doing this soon as this is certainly nothing but lost time. I might as
well undertake to study Hebrew without Grammar or Dictionary. It is sufficiently
difficult with2 in either case. We do not come again
until Monday.

I finished writing my Journal and read the poems of Mason together with some of the
first of Cowper’s.3 I did not think the first very
remarkable although the lines to his wife are certainly sweet and pretty. I will not
pretend to criticize though as I have never read them before. These of Cowper are
very pretty, there is something very interesting in them as they refer themselves
to
our simplest feelings and are sure to touch them with effort. The little piece on
Friendship { 177 } which I read today is as true, as striking as any
thing could be made yet it is all drawn from what we must know by the every day
experience of human life. It is this power which has made this Author so popular
with all classes and which makes him seen oftener on the table than any Poet we
have. Some there [are] who are looked upon with reverence and
respect but he is always read and always admired.

I began my course in Botany this Morning with a Lesson in Mr. Locke4 and commenced Mitford’s History of Greece5 by reading the First Chapter today. This is principally
taken up in a geographical description of the country, and an account of the
fabulous ages to the time of the Trojan War. He gives the appearance of history to
the stories of the Poets and gives Homer high authority as a Historian. He runs over
their origin, which he argues from Egypt, their method of life which was according
to all account sufficiently piratical, and their gradual civilization particularly
in Attica. One chapter bears considerably on politics as it shows us that at least
in this age Despotism was not known or thought of. The accounts of Minos and Theseus
give us reason to suppose that this was the original contract if there ever was one
in society. To ensure order, a head was necessary, but for that head to have
absolute power was as far from their ideas as the cutting off their own heads. I
also read my Greek Testament and attended recitation after which I paid a visit to
Fisher and came home. I next attended Prayers, after tea Otis and myself went round
paying visits at least with the intention of doing so but we found no one at home
except Howard. I smoked a cigar with him although he did not appear perfectly glad
to see us. Why, I know not. We then returned, having heard nonsense enough, and I
spent the remainder of the Evening in reading Plutarch’s Life of Theseus and
studying the obscure chronology as well as I could. Finishing this I read two
Numbers in the Spectator for amusement and my two Chapters as usual. X.

1. JQA was the first Boylston professor of rhetoric and oratory at Harvard, holding
the chair from 1806 to 1809. He had opposed the appointment of E. T. Channing, the
third occupant of the chair. When Channing failed CFA on his Harvard entrance
examination in Sallust, JQA appealed the decision to President Kirkland, reminding
him that the professor might have been motivated by resentment. JQA was given
permission to attend the second examination, and this time CFA passed (Duberman, CFA, p. 18).

5. JQA’s set of William Mitford, History of Greece, 8 vols.,
Boston, 1823, is in the Stone Library. CFA, however, apparently bought his own
copy. See entry for 29 June, below. A first edition
of Vol. 1 (published in 1784) is among JA’s books in the Boston Public Library
(Catalogue of JA’s Library,
p. 170).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0007-0010

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-06-10

Thursday. June 10th. V:45.

Attended Prayers and having looked over my review in the interval, recitation. I
was called upon for the first time in a review and recited moderately well. I
received a letter this morning from John1 announcing
his intention of departing the next day for the springs at a town called Bedford in
Virginia. He is to accompany my Mother and Mary in this affair. He also announces
his inability to write me in consequence, a thing which I am exceedingly sorry for
as I seldom feel perfectly contented unless I receive letters frequently from home.
John’s particularly afford me great amusement.

I read this Morning besides my regular Chapters Cowper’s Poem on Retirement much of
which pleased me exceedingly. I have not prized this Author as highly as he deserved
although I have always admired him. So much striking observation is collected in
this poem, the natural agitations of the mind are so accurately described that one
can not help being very much pleased with him. I also studied a lesson in Botany.
This is a very pleasant amusement in the Spring and as I wish to prepare myself
before the lectures come on, if we are to have any, I am now studying it. I did this
also last Spring and now merely refresh my Memory. We had no exercise this Morning
as the Theme which should have come today is delayed for Examination. I wrote my
Journal and spent an hour at Sheafe’s room talking of the Supper which we have in
contemplation.

At dinner we were interrupted by the entrance of Tudor who was hailed by general
acclamation. His arrival fills up our accustomed society which certainly felt quite
a void while he was not here. I spent an hour at Wheatland’s room talking with
Burton,2 a graduate and divinity student who
belonged to my brother’s class. I talked a great deal of preaching and ministers to
him, a subject which of all others [is] to me the most foolish. It
is popular here and Wheatland who is a very good young sample
of old narrow mindedness delights in conversation of this
kind. I shall not attempt to describe the character of this man until we part never
to meet again which will soon be and not to my regret for I know not what is the
reason but he appears to me at this time to be more unpleasant than he ever was
before; he did not seem to relish Tudor’s popularity among us, and scarcely hailed
him half as cordially as any of the rest. Could it have been envy, because he knew
he could not have been so received? or what? I will suspect but assert nothing.

I read a portion of Mitford finishing the second Chapter which { 179 } treats of their state of society, of the progress of the Greeks in Religion,
Government, Language, Poetry, Agriculture, Masonry, Commerce, Navigation, Astronomy,
Physic. Also of their Manners. All this is derived from his great favourite Homer
whom he quotes for the establishment of all his facts. The history of these books
is
singular as it is with good ground supposed that the art of writing was not known
until long after these were composed. The general hypothesis is that they were sung
by him at the Meetings which have always been held in Greece and that they were
handed down in this way from one generation to another, being committed to memory
by
persons who pursued the same practice which has been common with the Welsh [ . . . ]
who were very much acted upon by their bards. But still I am inclined to doubt
whether poems of this kind could have come down perfect as we find them, they must
have undergone considerable correction in later ages when they were first set in
order. It appears even so, hardly possible to suppose that any one man could have
kept in his memory two such long Poems, knowing also as we do, or say we do, that there was no regular way of singing them, they were composed
in disorder and still form so perfect a whole. There is one thing certainly which
we
can trust to him, for, knowing their unquestionable antiquity, we can have no doubt
that he described the manners which were usual in that age. The author’s
illustration of them is very good.

I got a Greek lesson this afternoon and attended a recitation to Dr. Popkin, after
which I made a short call upon Brenan to inform him of our decision concerning the
Supper and read Mitford until Prayers after which we went to Fresh Pond and spent
some time in bowling. Met there J. Otis and Bartlett with the latter of whom I had
considerable conversation. I went principally to make arrangements but did not
succeed owing to Mr. Wyeth’s3 absence. On returning,
our Lyceum party went to Mr. Willard’s and refreshed ourselves with a little Porter.
Tudor’s presence has inspired us with life and dissipation and we opened the term
pleasantly. The evening was so pleasant that I staid out until ten o’clock in the
front of the house, admiring the Moon and the beauty of the Evening. After a few
minutes at Wheat-land’s where Stackpole and Silsbee were, I came down and reading
my
two Chapters as usual, I retired. X:15.

2. Warren Burton, Harvard 1821, who graduated from the Divinity School in 1826.

3. Jacob Wyeth was owner of the Fresh Pond Inn, since 1796 one of the famous
hostelries in the Cambridge area; it was located not far from the present water
filtration plant (Chauncey Depew Steele Jr., “A History of Inns and Hotels in
Cambridge,” Cambridge Historical Society, Publications, 37
[1959]:33–34).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0007-0011

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-06-11

Friday. June 11th. IV:30.

After a very sleepless night, from what cause I know not, I arose, dressed myself
and read my usual number of Chapters and the first book of Cowper’s Task. This is
a
pleasant poem but as it is a commencement of a subject not the most excellent for
a
Poet’s pen, we must wait till he obtains room for more excursions. I read this Poem
just before I commenced Aikin and recollect the great pleasure which I had in it.
I
am now very curious to see whether my marks will be the same as formerly. I doubt
much the strength of my natural taste and consequently shall see what is the
variation. I then attended Prayers and after looking over my lessons, recitation.
I
then returned home got a lesson in Botany and wrote my Journal.

At ten o’clock I attended Mr. Channing’s second Lecture. His style is certainly
quite good, he treated today of Rhetoric as a branch of study. He distinguished from
Ethics and Logic by embracing parts of both but giving a more extended surface. The
one he said treated of moral obligation of the duty of man to God, to himself and
to
the world, but Rhetoric was connected with their passions and although it’s effects
were caused by touching the sense of rectitude which existed in every man, they
acted upon those passions of men which Moral Philosophy is intended to bind. He said
it was different from Logic as that was merely a dry search after Truth in
methodical formulas whereas this was designed to apply these very rules clothed in
the beauty of language and all the richness of imagery which the mind of men can
comprehend. He then went on to discuss the subjects in which Eloquence existed. Some
people had said that Eloquence arose from the subject and that in Law and Divinity
it was impossible to be eloquent but it was his opinion that Eloquence existed every
where and that it was in the power of a naturally eloquent man (for it is his
opinion that it is natural) to be eloquent on every subject, that he could exert his
powers of imagination even on things the most dry. This is all just observation and
I saw it powerfully exemplified in the case of Mr. Emmet on the Steam Boat question
last Winter.1 I did not hear however what was said
to be his very finest part which was the close of his speech. The subject was as dry
also as any which could have been agitated.

I read a considerable portion of Mitford’s Greece. He treated of the Oracles, the
Games and the council of Amphictyons, the three great links, as he thinks of the
Grecian people. These gave them a consistency which otherwise they would not have
possessed and made them have the appearance to others at least of being a people.
The { 181 } influence obtained by the Oracle was not surprising
considering the state of the people. The institution of the Games was very good for
them as it gave them a character, it promoted taste and elegance for which they were
afterwards so noted. I finished this early and copied a piece in my Common Place
Book before dinner. Afterwards, I read Mitford’s Appendix on the subject of the
Chronology of these times which to be sure is obscure enough. I shall not attempt
to
make dates but merely to keep the course of events. These to be sure are doubtful
enough but I am inclined to believe them. Mr. Mitford is pretty positive in his
style of speaking or writing, nevertheless he is a very pleasant author to read. The
last Chapter which I read was on the history of the smaller States of Greece which
he gives merely to prepare for his great subject.

I then attended Declamation and spoke myself Byron’s beautiful ode to the Greeks in
Don Juan. I tried my best but hardly gave the full force of the sublime production.
It was difficult. Mr. Channing criticized my rapidity by which I lost some force,
of
this I was conscious but I am still in a flurry on the Stage, which it is impossible
for me to get over. I am happy to think of my own improvement since I entered
College and have no fear of any appearance when warmed by my subject. This was the
first time that I have ever felt in the least carried away, I wished to be more so
but was afraid of extravagance in action.

After this our Lyceum members made a party and went to Fresh Pond where we spent a
very pleasant afternoon in bowling, we returned soon after tea time, missing
Prayers. I made arrangements with Mr. Wyeth for Tuesday. The Lyceum Club, the
regular Members met and went through the regular business of the term. I was elected
President, Richardson Vice P. and Otis, Secretary. The same irregular Members were
elected for this term. I then called upon Brenan and a few minutes on Dwight—and
after settling some Club Accounts with Mr. Willard, I retired—having read my
Chapters. XI:15.

Saturday. June. 12th. V:45.

Attended Prayers, read two Chapters in the Bible, looked over my lesson and went to
recitation. I went to see the Newspapers but found nothing except the declaration
of
New Hampshire which makes it pretty decisive as to the opinion of the New England
States, five of whom have determined the public opinion by a public
manifestation.1 No Southern papers or Mail this
morning. I then went home and wrote my Journal and read the second book of Cowper’s
Task in which he { 182 } writes with that fullness of heart which will
always make poetry good and where he inveighs so bitterly against the vices of the
clergy. There is a fine tone of piety and feeling which makes this pleasing. This
was all that I was able to do today as at eleven o’clock I rode into town with
Sheafe. We went in very quick as the mare, Doty, was in good train.

Arrived at the Marlborough2 the first thing was to
go to Mr. Rockford and be served there with a little haircutting which is the great
reason I believe of the excess of blood in my head with which I am now afflicted.
From here after walking about town a little, I went to Dr. Welsh’s and saw George,
and for once found him at home. We had considerable conversation on politics and his
appointment to deliver a fourth of July Oration at Quincy. For my own part on
consideration of the subject, I do not think it will do him any injury and it may
do
him some good. I am afraid, he will be led to express opinions which may be used
against him at some future time as this is now the practice in this country to call
up all old opinions in order to convict a man of gross inconsistency in his course.
But this will be avoided in considering his youth, and as he can write and speak
well he may make a favourable impression upon an audience not most critical. The
Quincy people would be all well inclined to him as they perhaps are proud of our
family already. Perhaps it is all which would have brought their town’s name
peculiarly into notice.

I also had a good deal of conversation with him concerning his misunderstanding
with John, which will, I hope, soon be rectified. I dined with him and had some
laugh with Miss Harriet about the family and Mrs. Adams &c. &c. I had the
pleasure of eating Salmon for the first time this year and drinking some excellent
Porter, after which I smoked a very good Cigar with him. We talked of those cousins
of ours in whom I feel considerable interest, the one because I believe her no
favourite with her own family, the other because she will be in so very unfortunate
a situation unless well married which is very doubtful.

It is one of the worst consequences attending an unfortunate match that the family
arising from it must partake in some measure of the sentiments of their parents and
consequently are in danger of doing the same or worse. Thus it is with these and
even worse as they see but little of the best company. Abigail has received a lesson
this winter which will save her from a bad step and I hope the other will.

The Quincy Stage arrived and I was obliged to go in [seek?] of amusement. I rambled about until I found myself near Mr.
Hilliard’s { 183 } store3 where I went in
and looked over the books there, none of which I was in the least tempted to buy.
The assortment does not appear to be a good one. Ever since Mr. Hilliard’s purchase
the books have been very far inferior to what they have been before. Mr. Hall,4 it is said, has ruined the importation of valuable
books because he has made bad ones so cheap. I then went to the Marlborough with
Sheafe who had also dropped into the bookstore and after a little walk went to the
billiard room to see Tudor whom we had agreed to bring to Cambridge. We found him
here playing and as I had nothing else to do I sat myself down and began to read the
Extravagant Burletta of Tom and Jerry5 which made so
much noise in Boston last Winter. It is a ridiculous thing without wit but so well
describing the humours of high and low life that it takes with the people
astonishingly. All productions of this sort will run on the stage much longer than
those much superior in point of merit for this has nothing to boast.

At half past six or seven we returned to Cambridge bringing out Tudor, we obtained
tea however from Mrs. Saunders’. I spent the evening at Tudor’s and we drank a
bottle of Porter. But I was so thoroughly worn out that I could not exert myself to
quit even old Mclntire the shoe maker who came up on business with Tudor. He is a
queer old put, very amusing generally from his attempts at elegance in language and
his singular application of great words. I stayed at Tudor’s until ten o’clock which
being my usual hour for retiring I went down stairs and read two Chapters according
to custom and went to bed.

My day in Boston was spent on the whole in a manner much pleasanter than usual,
George’s being visible for once and being quite agreable has afforded me much
pleasure. I still had two or three weary hours and am but little tempted to renew
my
visit. Indeed I do not expect to go in again until late in the term. I refused to
day to go and hear George which hurt him severely, I believe, I must change my
mind.6 X:15.

1. JQA was the unanimous choice of New England for the Presidency. Calhoun received
the section’s almost unanimous vote for Vice President (Bemis, JQA, 2:30).

Sunday. June 13th. VII:30.

My excessive fatigue of yesterday made me sleep until the break• { 184 } fast bell had announced the hour which makes the limit. I found scarcely any one
at breakfast. Wheatland and Otis were the only ones who had been there. I spent the
morning in a very lazy way. Cunningham came to Otis’s room and I dropped in, we
talked for some time on general subjects and I liked him again. His manner injures
him very much in the estimation of students, he appears so studied in all his
movements, that he excites much displeasure and though desirous to have popularity
he scarcely knows the way to gain it.

I had a little conversation with Otis on the subject of the Porcellian Club, after
his visitor had gone. I have been anxious for some considerations to get into this
society as it has long made me feel angry to have a number of men take any
superiority over me on a point which they certainly have but little right to. I am
conscious however that things change materially in the world and that I for one take
a station as soon as I enter it which is equal in advantages to myself if not
superior to any in the class. I find myself well supported by my own friends and
therefore care but little as to the local prejudices which have kept me out.1

After some private talk, I attended Chapel to hear Dr. Ware as I did in the
afternoon to the President, both exactly according to usual way. I was according to
custom, very inattentive. I read the third book of Cowper’s Task and wrote my
Journal, this employed me all day, rather lazily, to be sure but I am in the habit
of spending a great deal too much time in the latter employment so that I make it
a
task and a loss of time instead of an improving lesson. My last three days it must
be confessed have not been spent in the most edifying manner but I have allowed
myself some indulgence for the first half of this term. My father has not chosen to
give me anything for employment,2 he may crush my
ambitious feelings by this but I have nothing to be accused of, warmly as I am acted
upon by my desire of distinction and knowing so well that I am called upon
particularly to act as becomes a member of a high family. I feel this responsibility
and feel myself naturally able to bear it but how it may result I know not. I read
my usual Chapters and part of the Introduction to Anacharsis which is a romantic
account of the heroic ages of Greece.3 X:15.

1. Southern students, who went to Cambridge in increasing numbers during President
Kirkland’s administration, gradually came to dominate the prestigious Porcellian
Club. The club elected more Southern than Northern students in 1820, when JA2
became a member; in 1821 it chose half again as many Southerners as Northerners;
in 1822 there were almost twice as many Southern initiates as Northern. Though the
new members of 1823, who were sophomores in CFA’s class, included one more
Northern than Southern student, { 185 } the club was still heavily
weighted against the Northerners. In 1824 seven Southern sophomores and only two
Northern ones were chosen. Later nine of CFA’s class, all Northerners, and CFA
himself were invited to join, but CFA and his friends refused. Other Northern
students then asked to resign but were refused permission, and later seven more
Northerners were chosen to fill the vacant places. For CFA’s role in creating and
leading a Northern party among the students, first to storm the Porcellian citadel
and then to build up the Northern-oriented Society of the Order of the Knights of
the Square Table, see entries for 24 and 25June, 23 July, and 3 Aug., below. See also Catalogue of
the Honorary and Immediate Members of the Porcellian Club of Harvard
University, Cambridge, 1831, Harvard Archives; Morison, Three Centuries of Harvard, p.
197–199.

2. In this reference and a later one (see entry for 11
Aug., below), CFA bemoaned the fact that his father was not encouraging
and enriching his education by guiding his reading. Only after CFA returned home
to Washington to read law and, later, was a student at Webster’s law office in
Boston, did JQA become his son’s mentor.

3. The work referred to is doubtless the Voyage du jeune
Anacharsis en Grèce, first published in Paris, 1779, in 7 volumes and an
atlas volume. The anonymous author was Jean Jacques Barthélemy, a spokesman of the
Enlightenment; his production, though cast in fictional form, with the sages and
heroes of Greece taking speaking parts, contains a mass of geographical and
archeological information that made it popular as a manual on Greek antiquities.
There are two editions of the Voyage in the Stone Library:
one in 9 volumes and an atlas, Deux Ponts, 1791; the other in 7 volumes, Paris,
1810. A 1790 edition of the work, published in Paris, is among JA’s books in the
Boston Public Library, but the atlas is missing (Catalogue of JA’s Library, p. 21).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0007-0014

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-06-14

Monday. June 14th. V:30.

Attended Prayers and recitation this morning, read my two Chapters as usual and the
fourth book of Cowper, the feelings upon which I have described in my observations
on the first part of the same book. I attended a lecture also from Mr. Channing. He
went on to examine the subject of eloquence. He said that it did not consist of
perfection in any particular quality but in a union of all in such a way as to
produce sensations purely pleasing. I do not know what the reason was but my
thoughts wandered here and I did not gather all that I ought to have done, he did
not appear however to progress much, as he is very general in his language. The
style is a pretty one, he is neat and even elegant at times, but there is not much
mind displayed and what I am surprised to see, not much classical feeling. The truth
I imagine is that this is a quality he is not in possession of. Dr. Ware had a
review of the class in Paley instead of the Greek recitation which is now a morning
exercise. I did not attend the evidences though for I intend to trust altogether to
Providence in my examination.

In the afternoon I read a little of Mitford containing the history of Lacaedemon,
of the Institutions of Lycurgus and of the Messenian War. It gives us an astonishing
instance of a government which never has since and probably never will again see its
equal. The people be• { 186 } came a remarkable one and is an astonishing
record of the most persevering and successful victories over the weaknesses and
passions of nature. I attended a recitation also in Mathematics in which I was
called upon and much to my surprise, passed off quite successfully. I had a little
conversation with Mr. Farrar concerning this subject and made an arrangement to
study a plainer treatise in case one was necessary. He is a remarkably obliging man
and really appears to be more desirous to do good to the constitution of the College
by affording the students real instruction, than any one of
the rest. I then went to Cunningham’s and had some conversation with him on the
subject of his quarrel with Dwight; it is a disagreable circumstance which really
I
wished over and have made a half day’s exertion but it is too stubborn.

In the Evening, I had intended to have done something but Brenan, Rundlet and
others came in so that it was impossible and I was obliged to entertain my good
companions with Northern and Southern [pacts?] and the
[numerous?] rebellion.1
After the Bible I retired. X:10.

1. This semilegible passage apparently alludes to the sectional rivalry in the
Porcellian Club; see note on preceding entry.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0007-0015

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-06-15

Tuesday. June 15th. VI.

Attended Prayers but as usual had no recitation this Morning. I read my Chapters in
the Bible and wrote a Theme this Morning on Spring Vacation, quite a pleasant
subject. At nine o’clock we were called in to the usual annual examination. This
being our third and last but one.1 Few attended, Dr.
Porter and Dr. Fiske2 I believe were the only two.
Our examination commenced with Enfield and I was taken up among the first on a part
which I had not seen. I managed by keeping the book open to read it off and passed
decently. We next came to Tacitus in which I was taken up first and came off
moderately well. Next came Metaphysics which I most dreaded, the class recited
wretchedly until dinner time which suspended my fate. I was however not so badly off
as I expected although I have not much to boast as to the goodness of the
recitation. Dr. Ware examined us next in Paley and called upon me first by which I
was able to recite very decently well. Still I owe part of it to my class mate
Ames3 who was sitting behind. The old mole Allen
has not the quickness of a tortoise and though desirous, he is ill timed. I am very
sorry for the first of these young men, it is matter of great regret that his
finances will not suffer him { 187 } to take the situation in his class
which both his feelings and his character require. He is a gentleman and an
honourable fellow and is more respected among the upper class of young men than any
one I know. He is one of the very few in the class who are not directly in our
society, whom I like. Professor Willard then examined his four scholars in Hebrew to the amusement of all the rest of the class after
which Dr. Popkin closed with Homer which I passed quite well. On the whole, the
examination was a decent one, it was not creditable as it showed that the studies
had been very poorly conducted. Our good scholars did not do half as much credit to
themselves as usual and our bad ones were in character. For my own part I performed
my duty decently and that was all. Comparing it with that of the last year it is
rather better as I did not go through without a dead set4 in Blair.5 This was given
me by the malignity of Mr. Channing who asked me questions which few could have
answered. If this was bad, I recited well in Logic, and in Greek, so that perhaps
taking the two I was very much as usual in this one. We had no speech and were
dismissed at about half past six o’clock.

After Prayers and tea, we as usual with us on the evening of Examination went to
Fresh Pond to a Supper. Our party was composed this time, of Richardson, Rundlet,
Sheafe, Brenan, Lothrop and myself. Of these the three first and I went up
immediately and spent the Evening, bowling by candlelight. Richardson and I beat the
other two. This is quite good amusement, and much more interesting than I used to
think. It is not equal to billiards though which I think is the most delightful of
all mere amusements. At half past nine o’clock the rest of the party had joined us
and we sat down to a supper quite as handsome as I wished. It was much superior in
quality to the last one and looked really fit for any person to sit down to. I know
not what was the reason however but my appetite was not good and I was not able to
eat at all to my satisfaction. As I was fixed upon a sober time, I determined to be
prudent, influenced partly by the feelings which I saw excited at home, as our
members expected to have a crow over us and partly as I saw Brenan was fixed upon
the same. And I was not going to expose myself before him unless it was the same on
his part with me. My feelings warned me in time and I refused all drinking after
this. The conduct of Rundlet and us two influenced materially the joviality of the
table and, although very near intoxication, the other three managed to pass off with
only muddled brains. I recollected so well the effects of the excessive debauch of
last year that I rejoiced much at the course of this. After many a song and poor
toast { 188 } we arose and having paid his bill of thirteen dollars we
returned home.

The walk was an exceedingly pleasant one. Lothrop and Rundlet were very amusing and
although Brenan was too prudent as he was fearful of a discovery, which I thought
was not risked in the least, we came home pleasantly, and all retired in very good
humour. Rundlet stayed at Sheafe’s. On the whole I rejoiced very much to find this
had been a rational supper, which among young men is but too seldom the case.
Although some of our party were considerably exhilarated none of them were in such
a
state as to be unable to take care of themselves. This evening for the first time,
I
was compelled to neglect reading my Bible but there being no light in the house I
retired without. II:30.

5. Hugh Blair, Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles Lettres. JQA’s
two sets of the work, published in London in 1793 and in 1796, each in 3 vols.,
are in the Stone Library. Another copy, also in 3 vols., published in 1789 in
Basel, is among JA’s books in the Boston Public Library (Catalogue of JA’s Library, p. 29).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0007-0016

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-06-16

Wednesday. June 16th. VIII.

Missed Prayers. At study bell I attended a lecture of Mr. Channings. His subject
today he divided into three heads, Demonstrative, deliberative and judicial oratory.
He treated today of the first of these, he considered it as the least important of
the three as it was used only on occasions of meetings for the purpose of hearing,
and not on occasions involving the interest of any portion of individuals. Funeral
orations, panegyrics, Orations on annual festivals such as the fourth of July and
others. This style of speaking was suited therefore only for holiday occasions. He
closed this lecture and this part of his subject with a few observations concerning
the requisites for this, of which he mentioned the accurate delineation of character
as the most important, that it was not sufficient to speak merely of his qualities
as general, such as that he was brave or generous, for this he has in common with
thousands, and although some people might prefer a bombastic sounding expression of
some common qualities, it exhibited bad taste and showed that they only who had no
discernment would do this. Other men would give value to the exact description of
some remarkable peculiarity, some feeling for which he was remarkable { 189 } only to these immediately.1 On a
judicious selection of these he said depended the principal
[...,]2 the force of an Oration
of the demonstrative kind. This was a pretty good lecture.

I did absolutely nothing this Morning from a sort of listlessness always following
a blow, although I had no headache or sick feeling much to my satisfaction and our
good companions lost their expected satisfaction. I regret that I saw this for
really I do not wish to think ill of more fellows than I can help. These I have a
good opinion of at present and wish to continue. Had Otis possessed one quality more I could have liked him. Had Richardson been in
good society he would have made a better companion. Wheatland knew no politeness.
Thus it is, I am necessarily debarred by a consciousness of their faults from the
intimacy of many whom I have wished to respect. I attended Dr. Popkin at eleven
o’clock and recited without having looked at the lesson. This Greek Testament is
boy’s play. After it I read the two books of Cowper’s Task which finish it. I did
not neglect reading it yesterday but it was done in the examination room and so
lazily that I thought it proper to go over it again. I have no remarks further to
make on this subject.

After dinner I read a very little in Mitford’s Greece which I shall not notice at
present. At two o’clock, I attended a lecture from Mr. Nuttall the Curator of the
gardens on Botany,3 a course which I wish to attend
as by this I shall ensure regularity and order, to my study of it. To accommodate
the Senior members he began his course with the more important parts of his flower,
in this way making it quite puzzling to those who have not been over the terms. I
have studied them and found but little difficulty in understanding him. He treated
today of the calyx or flower cup, its different forms and illustrated them by
different flowers. He appears to be an agreable man, and quite easy in his manner.
He certainly appears desirous of giving some instruction in this branch, and as it
is a pleasing one, I am delighted at having this opportunity of cultivating it. This
first lecture was sufficiently simple.

I then returned home and wrote my journal for Monday as I had no opportunity for
this purpose yesterday. We then went to Mr. Farrar, Otis, Sheafe, Percy4 and I were all the class. He employed all the time in
explaining to us the day’s lesson and by dint of perseverance made us or at least
Otis and myself understand it. As to Percy he never will understand anything. Sheafe
did not take the trouble. We returned home, for me to laze away my time as I have
been during this term, but I do not know why, my hope is that a letter from my
father will { 190 } encourage me to continue my studies. I went to the
Athenaeum and spent half an hour reading there and then went to Prayers. After which
I took a walk with Sheafe and Richardson crossing the Cham, the romantic name of a
very pretty stream which winds along here.

Returning, I spent the evening at Tudor’s, reading with him the trip to Paris of
Mathews5 in ridiculous style. This, to be sure is
a very foolish way of spending my time and really I begin to be very much ashamed
of
myself. My Mitford has for the last few days been deplorably neglected and I
altogether reject all time because there appears so little of it.6 Indeed I have decided I think that the two first years are
far the best for reading. When I came down, I tried to read Enfield over but could
not, it appeared so unusual to get a lesson, I did not know what to make of it. I
read my Chapters in the Bible all and finished the book of Genesis. It is a book I
will not criticize although perhaps I ought to. X.

Thursday. June 17th. VII:30.

I missed Prayers and recitation this morning as I had not got my lesson and was
very sleepy. On getting up, found myself afflicted with a very heavy cold which I
had caught on Tuesday night by sitting down at the door after our return. I was
somewhat troubled this Morning about my Forensic for which I had made no preparation
from some cause or other. Just as I was in the middle of my quandary, Cunningham
brought the agreable news of there being none this morning. I was rejoiced at this
as it gave me an opportunity to write up my journal in the course of the Morning.
I
also read Cowpers Tirocinium or Review of Schools. It is a very severe satire upon
the present system of large Schools but it gives none in return which is not open
to
greater objection.

In matter of instruction, I think there can be no doubt, but what private life is
the best and also that the morals of a child may be injured by a public education
but then there can be as little doubt that a bookish man, a mere student, will never
pass off in the world. He can not succeed who is not plentifully supplied with that
fashion• { 191 } able quality called brass. He also loses the society of
people of his own age and class and all that polish of manner which is acquired only
in associating with persons of proper rank. I know well from experience that this
is
injurious to a high degree to a man. He should take care who has children that while
students and acquiring knowledge, they should know the ways of the world and be able
to meet every man on his own ground. As to the seduction in a common school, a boy
of a moderately strong mind with good principles early inculcated and narrowly
observed without his knowledge will pass through the ordeal without material injury
and with the good of experience. I am now in the midst of my trial and will know the
success of my doctrine by my own case. If not a respectable man at least, it will
not be owing to education but to a taste naturally perverted. Cowper was an instance
of fear of the world carried to a most extreme height, such perhaps as brings no
confirmation to his doctrine. Thus my Morning went and I felt somewhat lighter in
spirits as this burden was heavy. Chapman and Dwight were driven in by stress of
weather and sat with me until dinner time. I have not seen the latter privately for
a great while and wish to speak with him on the subject of Cunningham as I really
am
anxious to make that matter up.

After dinner I went down to Porter’s Hall,1
understanding that they were going to select Officers from my Class for the next
year. There has been much talk of a great competition for it but there was none.
North,2 his great rival, has left College and
Cunningham was elected unanimously. I was much pleased as this gives the decided
triumph to the Northern party in our class, which has so long been in a struggling
state. We have had many good men from the South and two or three braggarts for whom
the whole suffered. Cunningham declined under the present restrictions, and stated,
that unless the government changed their vote concerning the music he should decide
against having any thing to do with the matter. As no body else would do any more
and the company were not inclined to choose any one else, the company was adjourned
until Tuesday when the Officers would report the success of a petition to the
Government.3

I employed the afternoon in reading one Chapter of Mitford on the History of
Athens, Institutions of Solon, the changes of their government—the Colonies from
Greece, the institutions of Archons, Medon being the first, the gradual change to
an
absolute democracy, the characters of Solon and Peisistratus, the nine archons, the
chief, the king, the polemarch, and thesmothetae. The Areiopagus. An absolute
democracy appears to me to be no better than decided anarchy, and { 192 } Athens from it’s commencement turned to this sort of government. Lacedaemon
appears almost always to have been the most powerful as I think it is the most
perfect on record. The Athenians by calling them in to their assistance in the time
of Hippias which I am now reading. The books of Homer were first collected at this
time or in that of Peisistratus immediately preceding and were set in order as they
now are.

I went to recitation in Greek Testament to Dr. Popkin at four o’clock, spent half
an hour at the Athenaeum, attended Prayers, and after tea, took a walk with
Richardson and Tudor. Upon our return, we went to Tudor’s where we spent the
evening. Barnwell4 of his class was there and
conversed until half past ten o’clock when I came down to look at my lesson. I did
not however examine this trusting to an early hour tomorrow morning. I then read
over my Chapters of the Bible as usual and retired to bed having spent my day more
usefully than common. XI.

1. There appear to have been two Porter’s Taverns in Cambridge at about this period,
one on the Cambridge side of the Charles, near the present Anderson Bridge
(Batchelder, Bits of Harvard History, p. 67), the other at
Porter Square, in North Cambridge (The Harvard Book,
Cambridge, 1875, 2:357).

3. The sectional rivalry at Harvard which embittered club affairs (see entry for
13 June, and note,
above) also affected class politics. The juniors were now electing a captain for
one of the companies of the celebrated Harvard Washington Corps. This marching
society, organized in 1811 and remodeled in 1822, consisted of four companies,
totaling one hundred and twenty men. At its head was a lieutenant colonel. Its
grand function was to parade in uniform on the afternoon of Exhibition days (see
entry for 29 June, below).

To keep down expenses and to tighten college discipline, a faculty committee,
consisting of Professors Otis and Channing, had been appointed on 29 April to
consider the future of the military order. On 10 May they recommended that the
group be continued, but that in the future it should not hold an encampment,
should not be allowed more than six musicians, including fife and drum, and should
not be served refreshments after Exhibition day parades. The proposed rules were
very distasteful to members of the corps, who enjoyed martial music as well as the
traditional gay dinner which capped their public performances. Nevertheless, the
faculty approved the new rules on 21 June, with the concession (made, perhaps, as
a result of the petition CFA mentioned) that ten musicians, drum and fife
included, were to be allowed on great occasions. See Records of the College
Faculty, 10:65, 66, 69, Harvard Archives; Batchelder, Bits of
Harvard History, p. 65 ff., for a full history of the corps; Morison, Three Centuries of
Harvard, p. 214–215.

Friday. June 18th. V.

Arose and having read my Enfield over attended Prayers and recitation. I then read
Cowper’s Table Talk, which I did not feel at all struck with, some satire in it but
he has treated it so much better in { 193 } other parts of his works that
this seems to be only the outline of the more perfect picture. He is satirical to
a
great degree and although more pious than I wish him to be as he inveighs against
the theatre, billiards, cards, which I take to be perfectly innocent amusements when
not used for any sinister purposes.

I then wrote my journal and at ten o’clock was ready to attend Mr. Channing’s
Lecture which was today upon deliberative Oratory or that sort of Eloquence adapted
to Assemblies by which he meant a number of Individuals meeting together to consult
upon the interests of any number or some national concern. He passed over the
Areiopagus and Amphictyonic Council without notice, referred to the Council of Five
Hundred and to the favourable opportunity for display of this sort at Athens in the
time of Demosthenes. He then spoke of the Romans, their prevailing passion, ambition
and this the reason that Eloquence did not flourish till in the decline of the
State. He then gave us an account of the opportunity for this kind of speaking in
the Senate of Rome and referred to the state of subjection an Orator was in to the
people even when he governed them most. He then descanted upon the nature of a
popular government and in fact employed half of it in nothing whatsoever to do
directly with the subject but a mere essay on government. I was quite dissatisfied
with him I must confess.

Coming home I read Mitford’s sixth Chapter in the course of the Morning. It treated
of Asia, the kingdom of the Medes and Persians, of Cyrus, Cambyses and Darius and
the circumstances which led to the connection between the two people. In fact there
is not much in this part which cannot easily be remembered without notes. It is mere
history and although the Author sometimes reflects, his observations are always
short and simple but almost always somewhat striking. I then finished the first part
of the Introduction to Anacharsis. I am not so well pleased reading over this a
second time as history because the author deviates into the romantic too often. He
intended it probably as a popular work among a large class of the light readers who
would like history very well when garnished up with a good deal of imagination and
when the fabulous ages particularly can be treated as the author chooses.

I read also almost the whole of the life of Lycurgus in Plutarch and was much
pleased with it. I am somewhat of an admirer of his system although he excludes
knowledge from his community. He was a remarkable man and performed an astonishing
work, he made a very great change by small means and was pure certainly so far as
temporal { 194 } desires went. He was ambitious but not of being a
sovereign. One of the strongest marks of his sense was I think, not to permit any
of
his laws to be put down in writing but to take the general sense of the people. As
corruption advances, people always become more attached to the letter than to the
spirit of the laws and an evasion of the former saves a man even though he shall
have done the criminal action. By destroying all opportunity he destroyed all
desire.

There are but few actions which can be considered as natural crimes in my mind,
perhaps murder is the only one, all others are formed by convention. Theft and
adultery were not known as such in Sparta, they were allowed and formed no disgrace
to the code. The fact is that we do not think of laws except by the custom of the
country and I for my part believe that there are in a savage state no such things
as
crimes, except murder and rape, which is violating the natural freedom of every
individual. That in society other laws are necessary, I grant, and also that they
should have the force and consideration of natural laws, I allow also. I was not
able to finish this Life before Declamation which I attended and heard Brown1 and Cunningham speak very well.

Immediately after this I attended Mr. Nuttall’s Lecture which was upon the Corrolla
of Flowers. He mentioned their different sorts and illustrated them by Examples. He
has a very simple and easy way of lecturing which I am much pleased with. I was
pretty well acquainted with this part of the subject before.

After his lecture I went and obtained a Chaise and we drove (Sheafe and I) to
Lexington. We were caught in a slight shower of rain but luckily it passed off and
the weather and scenery were delightful. I went to be patriotic and see the monument
of those who fell in the first battle in the revolutionary war in this country. I
copied the inscription and shall insert it in my Common Place Book although it does
no credit to the Author, I could have done better myself.2 We returned to tea and in the Evening, I attended a meeting
of the Knights at Wheelwrights.3 The Porcellians met
but decided upon nothing, they all looked blown. XI.

Saturday June 19th. VII.

I missed Prayers and recitations this morning unintentionally how• { 195 } ever as I had intended to have been up at all events, my number of misses not
being small already. I have failed egregiously in my intention not to miss another
recitation until Quarter day.1 I received a letter
this morning from my father on the subject which I have written so peremptorily to
him. I felt rather fearful before opening it and let it remain on my table until my
last morning duty was performed before opening. It was very mild, but at the same
time informing me gently that he had a smaller opinion of my prudence than I held,
that he had considered my proposition and had some inclination to agree to it but
that he wished me to transmit an account of my debts to him in the first place that
he might arrange them before he began upon a thorough agreement. I have the
satisfaction now to announce to him my freedom except from that at Hilliard’s which
I have no reason to be ashamed. I will pursue this new system if he gives me an
opportunity although I shall be compelled to retrench my style of living
considerably. The change will be a beneficial one to me as it will teach economy,
a
quality which I only want because I am allowed to run on. I take no care of the
matter for whatever I do creates no responsibility on my part whatever. I read over
the letter attentively twice, it was short and simple, and determined to answer it
fully tomorrow.2

In the mean time I read Cowper’s Poem on Conversation and two or three occasional
ones. I might by him be styled one of the impious but I cannot help thinking that
few minds have that happy medium which he speaks of, and that it is but too natural
for the world to degenerate into bigotry and fanaticism when once their minds have
been acted upon by religion, with most people I might call it superstition. I have
had but little experience in religious matters, but I do think that I have seen
certainly as bad if not worse feelings cherished under the cloak of sanctity than
in
the reckless character of vice. Not that I would support either but the base
hypocrite is far more disgusting to a young man than the criminal. Herein, old
people say, lies the danger but for my part I hope I know it well on both sides.

I engaged some days since to go over with Tudor and spend the day at Savin Hill3 which I accordingly did, we went from here at about
half past ten and arrived there in a little less than an hour, the day was
exceedingly warm and the billiard room to which we immediately repaired was a
perfect oven being built of thin wood without plastering, the sun came directly
through and made it quite unpleasant. I have not touched a cue before for a year and
a half with the exception of a few moments at Nahant, last fall vacation, so that
it
was not surprising that I played very poorly before dinner while Tudor played { 196 } as well, after dinner I improved and reduced his difference to me
materially. It is a very amusing and fascinating game, when one just commences
playing well but perfection in it I should think would soon generate dislike. I felt
but little interested today for the cues were very poor and the table is hardly
worth much, so little care has been taken of it. It used to be quite good when at
Neponset4 where I have often played on it with my
brother. We dined here and smoked, drank and played all the afternoon. As I improved
I took more interest in the game but I was not on the whole very sorry when it
became time to return. I was surprised to see the quantity of company here this
afternoon all the bowling allies being full, nobody disturbed us however. As “we had
only come for a week” to use Tudor’s expression, we paid no immoderate bill although
not a small one and at half past seven o’clock we returned home.

I seldom have felt more fatigued than this evening from the continued and unusual
exercise of walking round the table. Although this was the case, at ten o’clock
Tudor and I went and took Supper at Mr. Willard’s establishment. I was hungry and
partook considerably although I was headachish, dreadfully tired and indeed never
felt more generally distressed than to night. Returning home, I read my Chapters and
sat down a few moments cogitating upon my father’s letter. I found myself nodding
so
often however that I determined upon going to bed directly. I paid for this however
as I had two hours of feverish dozing and was troubled in the night with a horrible
dream. XI.

2. CFA had repeatedly asked his father for a monthly allowance, to be paid to him
directly and not through his uncle, TBA. JQA thought the sum he requested was more
than he could afford or CFA should require. The proposed allowance was, he said,
at least double JQA’s own college expenses and half again as much as GWA or JA2
had been given. But before making a final decision, he asked CFA for an account of
his expenses, particularly of his debts (JQA to CFA, 12 June 1824, Adams Papers).

3. In Dorchester, three miles from Boston City Hall (Bacon’s Dict. of Boston, p. 132–133). Savin Hill is
still a stop on the Dorchester-Cambridge subway.

Sunday June 20th. IX.

My excessive fatigue and uncomfortable night made me delay my time of rising until
very late which made me miss Prayers, a most remarkable number of which I have
neglected this last week. Indeed dissipation of any sort has become exceedingly
irksome to me as I always feel more contented staying here and doing what I know to
be { 197 } my duty. Was not the time of Tudor’s residence here so short
and my amusement to stop immediately upon his going away I certainly would not feel
desirous of any thing of the sort. I do not wish any more the society of students.
My feelings are in a singular state. I feel alienated from all my friends and in
their society my nerves are continually jarred. I am again disgusted with the
boorish temper of Richardson, with the meanness of Otis, with the narrow mindedness
of Wheatland, the obstinacy of Dwight, the rough pawing of Tudor and the nonentity,
to use such an expression. It is well for me that I keep such a book as this to vent
my angry feelings and not to show dislike except to one. They all have redeeming
qualities to counterbalance their peculiar faults except the infinite foolishness
of
this one who has not even the good temper which I once gave him credit for. Enough
of this subject. It is grating to think that I never could continue esteem to any
particular individual after I had seen a certain quantity of him. Tudor, I like most
because to me he exhibits none of that which makes him appear badly in his conduct
to others. I have repulsed even such advances in intimacy as would make me too
familiar with any person. I think it the only way to keep respect from others, and
good will to companions. A man will not be so much liked but he is raised by tacit
consent and always spoken of in terms of respect in like or dislike. There is a good
stanza in Cowper on this subject which is too long to quote however, and I know it
sufficiently well without.1

I spent this Morning in writing an answer2 to my
father’s letter of yesterday which took me considerable time. I stated to him an
accurate list of expenses here and informed him that I could not reduce my demands
a
bit at present. In case I found that more money was on my hands
[than] I expected, I would return the sum whatever it was or
count it as in my hands for which my honour was responsible. I wish for this as a
trial. I wished for the Knight Accounts3 as one and
I thank Heaven I am able here to say that I have acted the part of a good
Steward.

Dr. Ware preached in the Morning which was rainy and unpleasant, Mr. Jenks4 in the afternoon, his Sermon was highly metaphysical
in it’s Commencement, and rather too demonstrative, by this I mean mathematically
so, in its close. It was too much of an attempt ending I am sorry to say in a
failure. I regret it because I respect the man as being one of my schoolmasters whom
I thought well of and almost the only one. He implanted or strengthened in me an
early taste for reading by a simple method which I should always recommend to a good
schoolmaster. After having got my lesson, he used { 198 } to permit me to
read a Plutarch which he kept on purpose in the school and gave it to me as a mark
of distinction and scholarship in this way exciting me by every motive which can act
upon a boy to gain instruction. I believe it is to this I owe my clear ideas on the
subject of history.

I also finished the tenth and last volume of Aikins British Poets today by reading
Beattie5 who closes the collection. I have been
now three months and five days in it in which I have taken but two holidays and
those unavoidably. Of this regularity I have reason to feel proud
[since] it ensures to me that method which is of such great
importance in future life. Perhaps I have not adhered to my resolution of noticing
critically every author but I found it more than I could do upon a first reading
which was the case with many of them, at least to give a good one, so that I thought
it much better to give a good one at some future time when I could discover all or
most of the beauties which have escaped. My comparison in Cowper has made me ashamed
as I find that I have not got so much taste as I thought, and also that I have been
somewhat negligent in the second perusal as I found out but half the beauties which
I observed the first time.

I spent a little while in the Evening with Otis but my day had been so much
employed that it was not until late that I could close my Journal. If I only had a
little more of my time at my own disposal and less at that of the governors of the
institution I should be more willing to remain here. I am however pretty well
satisfied even now. At half past nine I read my Chapters which continued this
Evening the song of Moses on the overthrow of Pharaoh. I then spent a little while
in looking over my Enfield which has become rather toilsome and disgusting now
however and went to bed noting also that I resisted an invitation of Tudor’s. X.

1. Doubtless CFA referred to the lines in William Cowper’s “Friendship”:

3. CFA was the self-appointed treasurer of both the Society of the Knights of the
Order of the Square Table and the Lyceum Club. See entry for 7 June, above.

4. Francis Jenks, Harvard 1817, a former usher at the Boston Latin School, who was
at the Divinity School in 1824 (Harvard
Annual Cat., 1823; Materials for a Catalogue of
the Masters . . . Who Have Belonged to the Public Latin School . . . ,
Boston, 1847, p. 4).

Monday. June 21st. VI.

Attended Prayers and recitation in Enfield this Morning reading { 199 } my Chapters in the recess. At study bell, I attended Mr. Channing’s Lecture which
was today on the subject of modern deliberative oratory in general. He took a view
of the different ages, he compared the advantages of the one with those of the
other. The modern deliberative Orator he said did not address himself to any but
those few who were members of the same assembly with himself. His duty was to act
upon them and no one else, he should mind neither the persons on the floor nor in
the gallery but merely the ones immediately interested in the business. And to them
he was to speak only with arguments founded on the strongest reasoning, he was to
affect their heads and not their hearts. On this account modern eloquence had been
styled cold, and perhaps it might be so, but it was the more noble, it was an appeal
to the understanding and also to the feelings not merely to excite the violent
passions. He said the difference between a lawyer and an Orator was that the former
was bound to defend his client to the utmost and never to yield the argument, the
latter came to the Assembly prepared to be influenced by the strongest reasoning
which he heard whether in support or against a measure.

It had been said he was aware by some that this was all fudge, that in a state
agitated by violent party spirit a vote was given always on the principles of the
side, that an opposition voted against many measures of the minority even when they
had no reason but that they originated so. He was inclined to think however that
this was not entirely so, and that there always existed a certain portion who were
influenced by the force of argument. The Lecture on the whole, was quite a good one
and I was much pleased, at the same time convinced that he knew very little indeed
concerning ancient affairs of any sorts and was willing to slide over them as gently
as possible.

I from thence went to the Athenaeum where I found no news of any importance. I came
home, wrote my Journal and attended a recitation to Dr. Popkin in which I was taken
up first and being suddenly called upon when I had not previously read the passage,
I made a singular mistake which evidently manifested my neglect of the lesson. They
are of a nature however not to profit me in reading over as a Concordance with a
Testament will serve when I wish to prosecute the study at some future time when my
doubts shall have taken some broader head than they have at present for at this
time, this could do me no good.

After dinner I studied Botany and dissected flowers until two o’clock but was not
successful in any of my trials. I advanced so far last year that now I see nothing
to do although I am very conscious { 200 } that something is wanting,
principally a knowledge of the terms and leaves. At two o’clock I attended Mr.
Nuttall as usual, he lectured to day upon the stamens, a principal and important
part of the flower. He illustrated the various classes by examples beginning with
Monandria and going through the whole sexual system of Linnaeus. He is so simple
that it is impossible to give any thing of an abstract of his lectures. He is also
so illustrative that I could do nothing but write all the flowers which would take
too much time.

Returning home, I immediately prepared to visit Mr. Farrar. Otis and myself went
from our house today, Sheafe returning into the section. We spent half an hour
pleasantly enough and derived at least for my part some instruction. He gave me
another system to look over at my leisure. After this recitation, I came home and
read the seventh Chapter of Mitford which closes the first volume. It continued the
history of the rise of the connection between the Persians and the Greeks, the
affairs of Persia, the history of Histiaeus and closed with an account of the
failure of the first expedition of Darius under Datis and Artaphernes, the victory
of Marathon and the death of Miltiades, a circumstance much to be regretted as it
shows that the people can easily be made a tool by the designing even against their
greatest benefactors. I am afraid that all history will prove this.

I attended Prayers after which, I took a walk with Otis conversing much as usual.
After which I employed my Evening in reading the life of Solon in Plutarch which
gives an account of the age and the wise men so famous in it. There appear to be
many more than seven aspirants however as I counted over ten in this and in
Anacharsis where I read a portion of what the author calls the age of the laws. He
divides the history into three ages as he calls them; this is the first, that of
Themistocles and Aristides is the second, and that of Pericles the third, these two
he calls the ages of glory and of luxury. I finished this evening the account of the
laws of Solon which are generally well adapted to the people. The author however
makes some observation concerning the laws and government which I would desire to
reconsider before assenting to them. Thus the Evening passed away much to my
satisfaction and I retired with pleasure at the consideration of every duty
fulfilled. X.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0007-0022

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-06-22

Tuesday. June 22d. VI:5.

Missed Prayers as I did not awake early enough by about one { 201 } minute. I read my Bible and looked over my lesson and attended recitation, did not
recite very much to my credit however. After breakfast I spent an hour at the
reading room, then came up and wrote my Journal, attended recitation in Greek
Testament also, doing nothing else.

There was much discussion concerning the election of officers this afternoon as the
ticket which would have been carried was questioned today. After dinner it was
decided. Cunningham was again elected Captain by a unanimous vote, Cenas1 was elected First Lieutenant, with strong opposition on my
part however and those whom I could influence. I suspect the vote was a very close
one between him and Lothrop. I have a great hatred to the man as he took it into his
head to injure me most unreasonably in a variety of ways. I never saw any cause for
this treatment of me, and feeling myself far too independent to be made a butt of,
I
threw up all acquaintance but have never until since the last Meeting of the Medical
Faculty,2 tried to injure him; after that
difficulty, I thought no further measures ought to be kept. I expressed myself
strongly against him this afternoon and tried but did not succeed. I must allow at
the same time that he was not unreasonably exalted. As our class is so little
provided with men, it is not whom we will but whom we can get. He was not very
cordially received.

The next choice was for Second Lieutenant which was obtained by Chapman, a most
singular circumstance as it was unexpected. This vote was also pretty close as
Lothrop and Otis were his competitors. I voted for him, as I thought without any
prospect of success, but such was the result. He was very well received. The last
vote for Ensign was the hardest of all. I voted Howard who obtained it by a very
small majority, three votes, I believe. He was strongly opposed by the dependent
part of our class on the ground of his being a fool, who on the other side advocated
Miller who is said to be a scoundrel. The first was preferred to the last, and the
malicious part of the class were disappointed. I went for Howard who was at his
room, he appeared singularly affected at the news, frightened and at the same time
much pleased. He could even under all his regrets, scarcely conceal his
satisfaction. Livermore3 was elected Clerk during my
absence. Thus closed the election with a result rather unexpected by almost every
one. It was satisfactory generally, the only objection to Chapman being in his size
and figure, this is not faulty enough however to excite much difficulty.

We returned home and I sat down and read over my afternoon { 202 } lesson, went in and recited or rather went over it with Mr. Farrar as usual, the
time being over we returned, I, for my part, getting off very well. I had expected
to have been able to read somewhat this afternoon but it was impossible. Cunningham
and Chapman came over to see Otis and press him to the acceptance of the place of
second Commandant in the Company which he as positively declined. Chapman then came
to my room and we talked some time and drank some of my remaining bottle of wine and
smoked. Cunningham then came in and finally Lothrop.

The Captain then disclosed to me his message which was the offer of the same place
just offered to Otis. I had supposed something of this kind might happen in one of
these Offices and had therefore considered the matter and decided that I would
refuse it. My reasons I think were strong. In the first place my figure is not fit
for it, it was a second offer, my unpopularity, and the excessive trouble besides
the expense. These I stated, all but the last, which was in fact the least
consideration. They appeared so woebegone though at this result and were so
despairing that I was much influenced, every eligible person had declined, and there
was not much expectation of continuing the company unless Otis or I accepted. It was
an appeal to my generosity as these Officers would lose their satisfaction and their
money which is not inconsiderable in amount. I thought also that soon I should like
the exercise and that it would promote the good will to me which is much wanting at
present, it would set me at least on the par with Otis, who has very much hurt his
popularity by this step, and I should no longer feel this galling superiority of a
really inferior fellow (without vanity). I have seldom had so much doubt in a step
of this kind. We sat till Prayers and after tea I gave my decision in favour of
accepting it and so it is. I think, I have acted right.

In the evening after the Lyceum had dispersed from my room where they had collected
to smoke and drink wine, I had just sat down to read Anacharsis comfortably for the
rest of the Evening when I was called to a Meeting of the Officers concerning the
selection of guides. We came to no decision however. Lothrop, Rundlet and J. Otis
fill the places of the other Commandants. After some conversation and a number
appointed and declined, we adjourned and I returned to my room where I read my Bible
and lesson and retired. X:10.

2. “The Med. Fac., organized about 1818, was a roaring burlesque upon learned bodies
in general and the College government in particular. It had regular meetings, at
which a pseudo-professor delivered a fake medical lecture; neophytes were given
elaborate fake di• { 203 } plomas; and every few years a fake Latin
triennial catalogue was issued.” Although suppressed several times, the group
survived until 1905. See Morison, Three
Centuries of Harvard, p. 205–206.

Wednesday. June 23d. VI.

Attended Prayers, read my lesson over, and my Bible, lastly went to recitation. We
this morning had a lecture from Professor Channing on judicial Oratory. He treated
of the style of eloquence at the bar and appeared very much to favour this part of
his subject. He said that although it was generally thought that law argument was
merely confined to the judicious selection of good cases, and the accuracy of the
reasoning in the exact case in point, it admitted in fact of eloquence of as high
a
nature as any although peculiar. He then went into an explanation of the nature of
law courts. He said that it had been customary to abuse the profession for the
unworthiness of some of it’s members; that people were surprised at so much trouble
in collecting the cases apt for a very simple decision. That it was not so much for
the giving justice as for establishing a general rule to act upon in all cases in
future. In this way, he said the argument merely of the law was sufficiently dry but
a person might take advantage of many things, the peculiar situation of his client,
the nature of the case, the feelings of the audience. He can dexterously act upon
the judges without appearing to, he can prejudice all in his favour, in short he has
by far the most extensive field to act upon in the world.

After this exercise, I wrote my journal and attended a recitation to Dr. Popkin in
Greek Testament. I read a chapter in Mitford, including the history of the
expedition of Xerxes, Leonidas and the battle of Thermopylae, Themistocles,
Aristides and the battle of Salamis. This history is the most astonishing of all in
the record of mankind, and shows the power and influence of one man over many, how
surprising the concentrated exertions of a small people can be even against the
greatest force. The character of Themistocles was one exactly adapted to his time,
he was one of those lucky spirits who fall in the very situation in which their
natural talents can be fully developed. Perhaps at any other time, or had he not
been justified by success, he would have been called foolishly rash. But adventurous
deeds will only obtain very great fame, when no risk is run little credit can be
obtained. The character of Aristides at the same time is remarkable; a person is in
doubt which should obtain preference but I am inclined to think that they were both
well fitted for their places and would not have succeeded so well in each
other’s.

In the afternoon, I attended recitation to Mr. Farrar and was informed that I knew
nothing about Arithmetic which is not far from incorrect, for I have certainly very
little knowledge of that part which particularly refers to decimals. Afterwards I
returned home, wrote a letter to my father1
concerning my appointment to this Office which I hope will be well received, if not
I shall be compelled to borrow the money to support it from my brother. I have not
much doubt however as to the success of the application.

After tea, we went down and the First Commandant ranged them in order, they were in
considerable numbers, the laws were read as usual, and every thing done in form.
Lothrop performed his part very well, although he appeared considerably affected at
first. It is singular that a situation of this kind which appears so easy should
affect a person so much, but for my own part I could not raise my voice to speak to
my section, above the strain of a kitten. The fact is, that there were many critics
carping away their spleen at us, and as I feel myself peculiarly situated as I do
not think myself fit for it, the place is a trying one. I shall do my best however
and make up by my exertions for my natural deficiencies. My section is one which I
can easily manage as I know none in it, consequently I hope none will trouble me.
Cunningham made a few observations and dismissed the company.

The Officers then went to Cunningham’s room, and we sat there all the evening very
coolly doing nothing. I engaged Willard’s hall and Lothrop and Cunningham went to
Mr. Porter’s to see about the Supper which is to be given to the last Officers. I
had then some conversation with Rundlet, obtained Sherwin2 for my guide and arranged matters regularly, so that we can
commence correctly tomorrow night. I then took a short walk with Rundlet, laughing
and talking about our probable career and our first debut as Commandants, after
which I returned to my room. I spent a little while with Otis laughing and talking
about nothing at all and then came down and read my bible and lesson. This day was
pretty well employed but I expect my record for this Summer will not be the most
creditable to me in the line of study since I am also called absent almost half the
time either to reading or practising military. X:10.

Thursday. June 24th. VI:5.

Missed Prayers again this Morning through mere negligence, but { 205 } attended recitation. I have got into the habit of sleeping so long that I cannot
easily get rid of it. I spent the morning in writing a theme on the subject of the
mighty deep and studying my tactics for the Evening. We were all at Lothrop’s the
greater part of the day. In the afternoon from some cause or other, I did nothing
neglecting even to write my Journal. I do not know what was the reason but I could
do nothing all day. The Porcellians met again all day today. I was not able to speak
of them last Friday owing to my want of room. It appears that there is a great
difference between the two parties as to the election of members from the next
class. I am conscious that I am also a great obstacle in this fight between them.
They all missed the recitation to Dr. Popkin this afternoon and were so exceedingly
warm they could be heard in the College Yard. For my part I am much amused at these
proceedings. Dwight looked heated and so did Cunningham this evening. They said,
they had been talking very warmly.

After tea, I went for the first time and drilled my section Showing them tonight
the position of the body and the direction of the eyes. They are quite an obedient
set as yet and appear desirous of progressing pretty rapidly. I was much diverted
by
their attempts although I kept it all to myself preserving the most solemn
appearance. I returned home and had some conversation with Otis this evening not
privately however as I wished it because this eternal Richardson was there. It is
impossible in this house to keep any thing [in] private
communication for any length of time with any single individual. We talked
principally about this contest in the Porcellian which has been brewing for a whole
year. He is very punctilious in his secrets consequently we can tell nothing as to
the actual proceedings. As I am so much in the middle of all this, my curiosity is
considerably excited. Thus I was employed until nine o’clock which was the appointed
time to meet the other Officers at the Supper given to the Old by the new Officers.
I went first to Lothrop’s room where I met Chapman, Cenas, and Otis. We stopped a
very few minutes, the Evening was rainy and we hurried to Mr. Porter’s as fast as
we
could possibly go.

All the Officers of our class were present; of the others, Carter1 and Barnwell, Elliot,2
Blake,3 Emerson,4
and Silsbee. Lunt the Clerk was not at the Supper but came in when the cloth was
removed. Livermore was also present. The supper was a very handsome one indeed. I
had expected that there would have been some difficulty or at least stiffness, owing
to the difference in the feelings of the { 206 } members present of the
Porcellian, but all such recollection appeared to be drowned in the cup and these
members were as cordial as if nothing had happened. I was placed between Silsbee and
Blake, consequently suffered nothing of that stiffness which I should have had
almost every where else. I talked some time with the former on the subject of the
drill and asked some questions of him which his experience would inform him of. I
thus employed the time in the first courses, they passed off handsomely, every one
was satisfied to all appearance. When the wine came on, the usual pledging was
introduced and I saluted every body round the table. Carter asked me and I drank
with him. Mr. Cenas made some advances to an acquaintance but I should like to have
his conduct to me explained before I can hail him with any cordiality or even with
perfect selfsatisfaction. I should feel myself descending in taking a man by the
hand who has to my knowledge deeply injured me at least once, I can say twice. The
forms being over, we began toasting, in the course of which many handsome and
classical ones were given. Emerson was full of scraps adapted to the occasion,
Barnwell delivered a toast after every song which was very frequent, Lunt who is a
pleasant fellow joined us and sang right merrily.

The evening waxed extremely sociable, every thing went on right, and we closed the
evening with Auld lang syne in perfection. There was a little difficulty in a toast
given by Emerson which touched Howard who returned it so handsomely that no one
attempted to play upon him afterwards. Indeed I never was so much pleased with his
conduct. We broke up pretty late and I returned to my room not having for a long
time spent an evening half so pleasant as this. It resembled an old fashioned Supper
of many years ago. I did not neglect my bible for I read it in the afternoon.
I:20.

4. Edward Bliss Emerson, of Boston, the first scholar in the senior class and the
brother of Ralph Waldo Emerson (same).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0007-0025

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-06-25

Friday June 25th. VIII.

Missed Prayers and recitation in Enfield this morning although I have already taken
a very large number, indeed so many that I should not be surprised at receiving a
private admonition on Tuesday. I spent the morning in writing up my Journal which
I
suffered to fall back { 207 } yesterday from a singular feeling of
laziness. Indeed, this morning, I scarcely felt in any humour to do more than
yesterday, and consequently did not make up more than half what I should have done
much to my regret.

At ten o’clock, I attended a lecture from Channing on the same subject with the
last. He treated of the difference between judicial and deliberative oratory. He
said that it had been usual in this country for the law to be the school of the
statesman, but when the country increased and wealth accumulated, young men would
study their own profession directly without having any reference to the law, they
being influenced by motives of ambition which now can only be considered as
secondary, the acquisition of money being the first. To this, I reply, it is true,
but when this does come to be the case, the liberties of the country will pass away,
for principle is never firm and when money is in hand it is easy to influence by the
most unfair means. The method of the lawyer must change very much as he must be open
to conviction on the other side of the argument.

What constitutes the difference of effect in two men with equal ability and
learning? Their manner. The regular lawyer may rise and give all his arguments
thorough clearness, he may state every thing in his favour so as to make a hearer
only pity the hopeless task of the other side. But when the opposing person begins,
he so throws a covering over the questions of his opponent, he manages his
blandishments in such a way that it is impossible to resist him. It is a peculiar
power with which some men are gifted which makes the great effect sometimes
witnessed in a house of assembly. Thus he took leave of judicial oratory. I went to
the reading room and spent some time, came home to dinner and attended Declamation,
which was exceedingly short today, and no good speaking. I did not attend Mr.
Nuttall’s lecture on Botany this afternoon much to my regret as I wished to hear him
through.

I went immediately to take a ride with Sheafe as he was extremely desirous to go
and I thought it would relieve a little head ach which I suffered under. We went
through Brooklyne on an unknown road which lasted half way to Framingham, then
returned, got caught at a toll house and had to pay and stopped at the Punch Bowl
for some Strawberries which we obtained in fine order, and enjoyed them very much.
On our return however we were caught in a shower which poured down in abundance; the
closeness of the chaise prevented our being wet.

We returned to Prayers after which Otis came to me for a con• { 208 } ference in which I was informed of the result of these Porcellian meetings. The
affair had come to it’s crisis. Chapman, Cunningham and Dwight had received
honourable dismissions, and the rest of the Northern party had asked for them in
vain. They are to persist however in their application; he then announced my
election as a member and that of Lothrop. In such circumstances, my answer was
immediate as the Porcellian Club has no attractions for me, when it would be
disgraceful to belong to it. It appears that there had been a terrible uproar which
had ended in this way, that the body of the Northern party had left the Club.
Lothrop also declined. So that now the Southern party have the rule decisively. The
club kept in meeting all the evening and initiated the Sophomores who were admitted
now without difficulty, and thus ends an affair which has been brewing this last
year. Hunt,1 a Northern Sophomore, has joined.

I drilled my section this afternoon, they performed the facings pretty correctly.
In the Evening, my room was full of company. All the Lyceum, Lothrop, Chapman, Otis,
filled my room considerably. It is seldom, I am so much honoured, but there is a
good deal of talk about this late affair. After my company had gone, I took a sort
of an oyster supper with Tudor and Richardson, being the first since I was at home
or coming from there last winter. We then returned home and sat down in the entry
where we smoked and continued our conversation. I have again become pleased with
Tudor but nothing could recover my friendship for the other. Retired without reading
my Bible. XI.

Saturday. June 26th. VII:30.

Missed Prayers and recitation this Morning although it is among the first in the
quarters, and I expect a punishment. I could not help it today and determined not
to
miss any more this week, not even one prayer until Saturday at least. I spent the
morning in reading as much as possible of my Bible and writing my Journal for the
day before yesterday which however I did not finish before I was called by Tudor to
go to town in a chaise which was at the door. I accordingly prepared myself and
went. We soon arrived in Boston and I went immediately to Dr. Welsh’s to see my
brother upon the affair of this Company and also upon the subject of the letter
which I had received this morning from John1
concerning that very affair upon which I had talked with him at our last meeting.
He
writes in a { 209 } singular way, speaks of George very affectionately
but I know not whether this will last. He also speaks of Mary in a style which I had
some reason to expect, but still as I can say nothing, and for the same reason, he
cannot, I must leave his fate to Providence. I do think nothing but mutual
displeasure will follow that honey moon which is the sole object of his wishes. John
writes a little quizzically but generally in a more serious manner than usual.
George was at Quincy so after some conversation with Miss Harriet and Mrs. Welsh and
a little reading in George’s room besides writing him a note2 I left and went to the Exchange3 to meet Dwight and Tudor in order that we should dine
there. I was somewhat sooner than they, but we were all in time. Relf,4 Elliot and Percy were there. The dinner as usual was a fine
one and I enjoyed it much. After the cloth was removed I called for some wine and
cigars and we sat very comfortably. The other gentlemen not indulging in wine,
Dwight sent it over to “those Southerners” to show that although he had quarrelled
with them on one point he still kept the politeness which belongs to a member. I
could scarcely have expected such a thing ever would have been done by any one of
them. Perhaps by the former, by the other two certainly not. I did feel a
superiority to the whole of them at that moment which I knew to be natural but when
I recollected the state of the College, it galled me.

I was very much amused at dinner time by the conduct of two or three gentlemen at
the table. One was a little French buky,5 who he was
I know not and care not, his name was Behr, I believe, his silly style diverted me
as he appeared about as much of an ape as any man I know. Another was sitting
opposite to us who was very inquisitive and talkative, he asked us many questions
as
to our residence &c. and finally gave his card to Tudor. He appeared to be very
much affected by something, for he was calculating in his pocket book almost all the
time. He drew out two books, looked over a large number of bank notes and returned
them, got up and walked off. This made us believe he was intoxicated but I do not
think this warranted by the general conduct of the man and his conversation on the
subject of the fire.6 We rose at last, found Chapman
waiting for us in the entry according to agreement to go to Savin Hill. We went to
the Marlborough Hotel and met them to go off, arrived there we spent part of the
afternoon playing billiards, part of it bowling, and the rest eating strawberries
and drinking portwine. We played billiards again after the other two had left us to
go to Boston and drink tea, I did not play so well as last time, and finally got
quite tired, we then returned { 210 } to Cambridge round through
Brooklyne as I wished to avoid the town which is always a disagreable place to
me.

The evening was a delightfully cool one and the ride was as pleasant as any I ever
took. There is something singularly pleasing in these rides from Cambridge, I
certainly enjoy them more than those which I get any where else. I shall not forget
the pleasant times between John and I. We returned in good time, it being about half
past eight o’clock, took a few oysters, and spent half an hour at Wheatland’s. I had
a bleeding at the nose this Evening and felt happy that it had not attacked me in
the course of the day. I read my Chapters in the Bible making up the deficiency of
the last Evening, my regularity does not stand most creditably of late either in my
self imposed exercises or in those laid upon us by the Institution. X:15.

6. On Wednesday, 23 June, a five-story building on Salem Street caught fire, and the
roof and two upper floors were badly damaged (Columbian
Centinel, 26 June 1824).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0007-0027

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-06-27

Sunday June 27th. VIII.

Missed Prayers, but attended Chapel on one of the warmest days we have had this
year. There was no amusement therefore in sitting to hear Dr. Ware and the President
prose away the day. To this however we were condemned today, and went through with.
For my part I was employed very closely all the rest of the day in writing up my
Journal which is no inconsiderable task when it gets in the least behind hand. I had
expected to have been able to do a little more, but I was attacked with a
considerable visit from Dr. Bartlett as we call him from his size, having a
tremendous corporation for a young man. He staid with me about an hour and a half.
He came to develop a body of news which he had picked up at different places
concerning the late differences in the Porcellian Club. He made out quite a correct
story by different pieces of information which he had picked up in the course of his
conversation. He used formerly to be more intimate with me than now but I found him
dangerous from this very quality of his, that he has a power of making up stories
from the different persons he hears them from and retailing them with the authority
of one man. As I was his friend, I told him some things which came near injuring me
essentially in College. I found out this { 211 } part of his character
and although I know he is not guilty of any sinister intention towards me, he might
do me more mischief than my most bitter enemy even when he believed he was
performing the kindest office, in the world. He is a young man with the best temper
in the world, his only fault arising from a wish to be important in the great world, that means the high circle. He therefore makes
himself so by carrying news to them and inventing very long stories. He hears
something and gives it a relish by stretching it, if he is asked for his authority,
you are informed, such a one but that he would not wish to have his name used or
that it should be known as coming from him. If however as is sometimes the case he
has no authority he says that he is obliged to be secret. After leaving my room he
went to Otis and Sheafe’s where he spent the rest of the afternoon. He said there
was a report about that I had accepted which I of course told him to deny.

In the evening I took a walk and some strawberries as usual. Spent the Evening as
usual in Summer doing nothing at all. X.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0007-0028

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-06-28

Monday. June 28th. VI:5.

Missed Prayers this Morning although very anxious to attend indeed. I had cautioned
Sheafe to wake me which he did but my drowsy habits had made me return to sleep,
which would have continued until breakfast had I not heard the sound of the last
man’s steps on the Lyceum stair case. I might just as well have staid at home for
not having prepared myself upon the long propositions, I was obliged to say so when
unexpectedly called upon. On this account I was marked absent. I had missed a
sufficient number already but this must make me more. I returned home quite
sorrowful.

At study bell we attended a lecture in which Mr. Channing gave us an account of
that sort of eloquence peculiar to Christian countries, the eloquence of the pulpit;
he treated of its nature and history. He commenced as usual with a sort of
historical sketch of it’s rise, at first mere exhortations from some particular
commandment in the Bible. When however the Jews and civilized Heathen nations came
to be converted, the Christians adopted some of their rites to please the one and
some of their eloquence of the other. In the mean time he observed that probably the
Christian religion owed more of it’s errors and follies to these causes than to any
in its whole history. A remark new and much to the purpose. This digressive style
is
his pleasure. He said that this plan of texts had been adopted for pur• { 212 } poses of advice or consolation, but that now in many cases this had
nothing whatever to do with the subject dissected upon. A pretty severe allusion,
I
thought to some of the Presidents sermons. Mr. Channing amuses himself picking up
now and then a straw in his Lectures. With a sweet pretty style he does nothing but
go round and round without making any decision as to the real points in
question—what Eloquence is, where it is to be found, how cultivated, in whom it
flourished in perfection, how gained? The field is wide but never can be thoroughly
passed over in such a dawdling way. The man is a man of exceeding small mind. Though
judicious in observations of small things, he can embrace no whole, he can take no
wide view of the most enlarged issue on the face of the globe. He has improved my
speaking, true? but it is only in a few natural observations which my education
early in life enabled me to profit by.

Lecture over I returned home and spent my morning doing nothing or next to nothing.
I looked over a little testament and attended recitation to the Dr. this noon. After
which until dinner time, I was assisting in chalking the squadding rooms. After
dinner I attended a Lecture of Mr. Nuttall’s on Botany. It was on the four first
classes according to the system of Linnaeus. He continued his system of illustration
and gave us a number of examples to examine at our rooms. Returning I read over my
Arithmetical lesson, but Mr. Farrar could not hear us as he was very busy indeed.
We
therefore went and obtained some strawberries and then I chalked my floor which was
no inconsiderable toil; as Lothrop had done the same with me I was obliged to assist
him in his which was far the most troublesome of the whole. We finished at last but
I was obliged to come home and dress myself all over again, the heat had been so
powerful, before I could attend Prayers after which I drilled my section as usual,
taught them the step forward, which they performed finally pretty well. I am amused
at the exercise and begin now to be quite pleased with it. I kept them about half
an
hour and then dismissed them until tomorrow morning. I then walked up to College
with Lothrop who had just dismissed his section and met a number of our class
standing near Hollis1 whom we joined and, after
arguing sometime concerning the company, separated.

I had a few minutes conversation with Chapman on the subject of Cunningham’s
election to our Club here. It is a matter of great satisfaction that if this
Porcellian affair has had no other advantageous effect it has had that of uniting
Cunningham and Dwight, which would not have been done in any other way. This was
what I tried { 213 } to bring about but without success. The two leaders
are now united and will proceed I hope with more effect. I walked down to Howard’s
with Lothrop, he was not at home however so we returned. After this I spent a half
an hour with Brenan in which we had some conversation concerning the disturbance in
the Porcellians. He is in a queer plight in this difficulty for he has been well
treated by the Northern party and badly by the Southern so that he can take but a
singular part in it without inclining either way. After talking some time with him
I
returned home. X:15.

Tuesday. June 29th. VI.

Attended Prayers this Morning for the first time for some days, and recitation.
After breakfast I drilled my squad for half an hour and taught them marching in
double ranks. I then came home and wrote my Journal for a little while, but as I had
two days to make up, I only finished one this Morning. I then went to recitation to
Dr. Popkin after which I returned home and wrote some of the Lyceum Journal.1

At dinner I was surprised by a visit from my brother George who came out today in
consequence of a note on Saturday which I left for him. I had some conversation with
him on College matters and also on his difficulty with John which will I hope soon
be amended. I did not dare however to communicate to him my opinions received by
that letter concerning Mary as I think with John such a notice should come from
higher authority than that where any misconstruction can be put even upon the best
intention. He appears to solace himself with a belief which I hope is authorized but
I cannot say I think so. I then spoke to him of his Oration which as he appears to
be anxious, I believe I shall be compelled to hear. I would gladly go if these parts
did not interfere but it appears to me to be a great sacrifice to give us this
pleasure for so much stiffness as I shall meet here.2 I settled with him concerning the appropriation for the dress of the
Commandant,3 deciding that I should be credited
for that Dante4 until an order should be received to
give me the money for this very purpose.

After a little more desultory conversation he left me in the stage for Boston and
I
went up to Otis’ to look over Trigonometry which we recited to Farrar as usual.
After this I returned and wrote my Journal for yesterday which employed me until
Prayers. I have been so ex• { 214 } ceedingly busy of late that I have not
been able to look at Mitford, six remaining volumes of which, by the bye, were
brought to me to be paid for much to my displeasure as I had calculated upon no such
thing. My studies of all kinds appear to be given up for the present only to be
resumed with as much vigour as possible in warm weather, as soon as the present
Seniors have left College. My expenses are now running very full also which must
also be corrected when they leave. Evening spent as usual. X.

1. No such journal has been found in the Harvard Archives or among CFA’s own
papers.

2. Thus in MS, but the sense is defective; “us”
doubtless should be “up,” and “here” is probably a mistake for “there” (i.e. in
Quincy, where GWA was to speak).

3. The uniform of ordinary cadets was an amalgam of required college dress and West
Point attire. Students were required to wear a dark gray Oxford mixed,
single-breasted coat, with claw-hammer tails. Over this the cadets put white
crossbelts and a waist belt. An officer wore the same coat, trimmed with gilt
buttons and gold epaulettes, white trousers, black shako with fountain plumes, a
scarlet sash, white sword belt, and a straight sword (Batchelder, Bits of Harvard History, p. 68).

4. This allusion is utterly obscure. Though the term comes up again (see entry for
22 July 1825, below), it is not certain whether it
refers to a book, is a slang expression, or what.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0007-0030

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-06-30

Wednesday June 30th. VI.

Attended Prayers and recitation, but very luckily was not called upon in the
latter, otherwise I should have been compelled to the same course with the last
Monday’s. After breakfast I went to Lecture as usual. The subject today was Pulpit
Eloquence in continuation. He began by stating it’s design different from any other
sort of speaking as the latter were and merely1 to
influence a person’s opinion upon an immediate measure but it was the duty of the
first to inculcate principles which were to mould a man for life. He was to act upon
their feelings, to produce morality and justice, piety and good conduct to man. He
was to teach them their duty to others, and all the important advice for their
happiness here and hereafter.

He then entered into a discussion on the nature of God’s temple and the propriety
of attending it which did not in my mind have any immediate connection with the
subject in question. He then recommended suitable action and propriety in manner.
He
said it had [been] made an objection here that men did not give
sufficient attention to these points, but on the whole he seemed to think they did
and appeared to believe the Church would become corrupt as soon as it improved. He
said that a gaudy eloquence would be introduced which would destroy all feeling and
that the progress of morality would be checked, which was now advancing so fast
under the pro• { 215 } tecting care of our clergy. Here I cannot in the
least agree with him. That vicious eloquence should be introduced I for my part have
not the least desire but that we should not actually suffer under the torment of
some of our ministers whilst delivering their Sermons does appear to me to be very
much to be wished. That I shall not be more edified by a good Sermon preached by a
good deliverer than by our Dr. Ware or President appears to me to be about as
incorrect an idea as I can well conceive of. The fact is that this lecture has very
nearly made [up] my mind about Channing, for I do think that he
knows very little of the real subject which he is treating of and prefers going out
of his road somewhat to talk a little metaphysical concerning the pleasures of
recollection and to make a pretty quotation concerning Milton than to talk properly
on his subject. He might make a moderately good essayist if he chose but he never
was meant to be remarkable in any thing. His conducting the North American Review
brought but very little character to him.2

I went to try to get a bath but not succeeding, I went to the Bookstore and bought
Salmagundi as I saw a pretty copy there which matched the other works of Irving in
my possession.3 It is a work of some humour but it
is now so long since I have read it, if I ever did, that I should like to go over
it
again, consequently I commenced it today and was much amused with it’s style. I
attended recitation to Dr. Popkin today. He got into very bad humour concerning the
lesson as the students laughed at one or two mistakes, which were made. There is
more evidence than my simple self to show that there is a habit of neglecting the
Testament lessons here.

After dinner I laid down, the weather was so warm it was hardly possible to do any
thing else. I looked over the lesson to Mr. Farrar and recited to him very much as
usual. He paid us a compliment and dismissed us. I consider him as the only man in
the government who appears to know any thing about recitation as an exercise to
acquire knowledge, the rest is now all a perfect rote system. Immediately after we
got out I went to refresh myself with a bath, in which although a bad one I remained
three quarters of an hour. The water was cold and not enough of it. I returned home
and employed myself until Prayers in writing my Journal which falls behind hand now
that I can read so little. It has now become something of a weight upon a man’s
conscience like mine although knowing at the same time that it is unavoidable.

After Prayers, I drilled my section and was honoured by a visit from Cunningham and
sundry of my class. They performed very { 216 } well. After squad, I
walked up to College, met some of the officers and talked a little with them. As I
happened to come across Blake in the mean time, I determined to finish that business
concerning my uniform and settle with him which I did and paid him the full value.
As I had never been to see him before although I know Blake and Silsbee his chum
very well, I spent the evening here and we conversed on the various College subjects
which are considered interesting, the company, the Porcellians, not a great deal
directly about these last, as these are members and the conduct of the first of them
is not much approved in our party. We also talked a good deal about different
subjects of little importance, Silsbee having come in, when the bell rung and I
returned home. Read my Bible and lesson. X:15.

Review of the Month of June. 1824.

I have read my Journal over, and find a sad deficiency this Month in my resolutions
which were so well formed. I am ashamed of myself and what is more regret to say
that this is not a step to amendment. I find a most lamentable want of energy
recorded, a great deal of dissipation, my regular habits invaded, and nothing to
amend all this but a dry confession of the fact. Money spent without advantage and
recitations missed which may bring me before the government. Therefore if my last
record was creditable this is by no means so. Commencing, if we take reading, I have
finished Aikins Selection, this is creditable as I was regular in that. I have read
one volume of Mitford, a little of Plutarch, Anacharsis, and Salmagundi. This has
been my occupation for four weeks. I have read all this thoroughly however and the
only fault is that it is not half enough. In the description of character, there is
no deficiency. I have done to the full what I intended, and my account of Lectures
has been generally good. Now I come to the last which is my own conduct: My
irregularity in my Bible has been considerable, that in my Journal more than usual,
I have neglected College exercises, I have broken every one of my determinations,
in
short I have but little in this part, to review with any satisfaction.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0008-0001

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-07-01

Thursday. July 1st. VI.

Attended Prayers and recitation in Enfield this morning, after which I read my
Chapters in the Bible as usual. I spent the morning { 217 } in writing my
Forensic on the subject of language, whether improved by being compounded of other
languages. I argued the affirmative and am very much inclined to believe it true,
as
I think it should be more open to beauties than the other. I attended them and heard
as good as any since we have been writing them. Chapman’s was a very good one.
Dwight’s I did not hear. We remained here as usual two hours, and I heard some
nonsense. Mr. Hedge decided against my position, I did not think correctly for my
own part.

After dinner I attended a Lecture of Mr. Nuttall’s, who changed his day, on account
of a representation from the government. He treated of the five succeeding orders
of
Linnaeus and gave us many examples which I noted in my book.1 But which it is impossible to mention here. I then spent a
little while at Lothrop’s room reading over the afternoon’s military lesson which
does take an amazing deal of time, went home, wrote my Journal, looked over my Greek
lesson and attended a recitation to Dr. Popkin as usual. The remaining hour until
Prayers was devoted to chalking the right oblique step on my floor at Willard’s and
that of Lothrop’s at Porter’s. This is the worst duty of the whole and happy am I
that it is all performed. We have now only the manual2 which is the tedious part of our labour, and which calls us out so often.

After Prayers, they received a drill and performed very well; indeed, for new
recruits I have seldom seen so much advancement. Silsbee came up to see them, while
he was there I was peculiarly anxious that they should do well and was very well
satisfied at the result. I gave them some exercise. I went immediately home and read
over my lesson before attending a meeting of the Officers which was called at nine
o’clock. We went to learn the manoeuvring and had a lesson set to us to read over
and understand by eleven o’clock tomorrow morning when we were appointed to meet
again. I then went with Rundlet to Mr. Willard’s for some strawberries, he having
none we eat some cake and took some wine. Chapman and Lothrop came in and we staid
here talking and laughing until late, the party then came to my room, which they
soon left and I retired. XI:30.

2. The Harvard Washington Corps followed “Scott’s drill manual,” as they called the
standard War Department Rules and Regulations for the Field
Exercise and Manoeuvres of Infantry, which had been prepared by a board of
officers headed by Major-General Winfield S. Scott and published in New York in
1815.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0008-0002

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-07-02

Friday. July 2d. VII:30.

I had intended to have gone to recitation but my rest this night was disturbed by
horrible dreams and I awoke this morning with a { 218 } bad head ach. I
could have done nothing all day, had I gone, for until half past five I had no
refreshing sleep whatever. My dreams arising from indigestion were horrible. Such
being my feelings in the morning I attended the drill of my section without pleasure
and heard Mr. Channing’s lecture this morning without attention. I merely heard him
say that there was one peculiarity which distinguished pulpit eloquence which was
that no manifestation of pleasure or satisfaction was allowed in the course of an
exercise. He then gave a sketch of the history of preaching. After the first
preacher it used to be the custom when any sentiment pleased the audience to
acknowledge it by loud acclamations and clapping of hands. It had been usual among
the earlier divines to address the congregation more familiarly and to receive nods
from individuals when they understood the doctrine inculcated; to this he attributes
this habit which existed until almost a century ago when it was preached down. He
then closed what he had to say with some observations on the popularity of this sort
of eloquence. Only very great orators attracted crowds at the bar or in the hall of
legislation, but this was always attended and always pleasant. Even the theatre, he
said, a place devoted to pleasure, and an amusement which can certainly be obtained
at a cheap rate, this was not filled uniformly. This was all which I heard in the
gentleman’s closing lecture on sacred oratory. I then went to this meeting of the
Company Officers and argued away concerning the propriety of this and that until
almost dinner time. We performed every thing which we had been directed to very
shortly and the Captain determined we should not do any more until he had learnt the
words of command when he could call us together and direct us to proceed regularly
in these manoeuvres which he had selected for the year. Thus we adjourned again sine
die much to my satisfaction as I doubt not we should have wasted an amazing deal of
time, spent some money, and not have done any more than we shall by the present
agreement.

After dinner, I attended Declamation. Howard delivered Patrick Henry’s speech, but
he could not give the proper force to it. He speaks only pretty well. Dwight
delivered Lord Chesterfield’s speech on the Theatre bill. He selects good speeches
but not striking ones. Miller delivered one which excited the risible faculties of
all [the] College as it was a piece of a man defending himself from
murder. The commencement of his piece concerning his own character was so applicable
that it struck every one. We were detained very late so that I was obliged to go up
immediately to Mr. Nuttall and heard him discuss the nature of the four next
classes. I returned home and tried to do { 219 } something but I was
exceedingly sleepy and my head ach was still upon me so that I went to sleep and was
not roused until Prayers, having had a most refreshing nap. After this exercise I
drilled my squad for the last time in the Evening in a room. They did not do as well
as I wished them to. Indeed now I am considerably provoked with the section. I then
came home again and read my lesson over before attending a meeting of the Knights
which was called at eight o’clock.

The Meeting was full this Evening as it was the last time the Seniors were present
and we were to proceed to the Election of Officers for the next year and I am
forthwith to enjoy in this Club Otium cum dignitate. We proceeded to a choice of
them immediately. Cunningham was chosen Grand Master in the place of Barnwell,
Crowninshield,1 Deputy Grand Master in the place
of Miller, Dwight Secretary succeeding Rundlet, and Perkins2 succeeding to my honour. I was perfectly satisfied with
this result, it evidently showed the party feeling which existed in the club as
every man elected was a Northerner. We spent the evening very pleasantly indeed. I
was diverted with Lowndes3 and Tudor who enjoyed the
corner much. Every body appeared in better humour than usual. I staid here at my old
room, which was much worse in appearance this evening than it ever was in my hands,
until after eleven, when a parcel of us went out and took a walk. Brigham,4 who was with us, being in high humour, sung two or three
songs in his best style. After which we returned and went to bed well content.
XI:30.

Saturday. July 3d. VIII.

Missed Prayers and recitation again for I could not help it, the lesson was so hard
and I had been unwell, which shall be my excuse for I cannot possibly go on in this
way, continually missing and continually cautioning myself. The summer is always a
bad season for studying as the Evening will never admit of it. After breakfast, I
sat down in my room and read over my Journal for the last Month in order to review
it which I did this Morning, not with feelings of the greatest satisfaction either.
This being done I went to the Bookstore and reading room where I spent the rest of
the morning with Tudor. { 220 } I attempted to buy a plate which he had
there at somewhat of a bargain but did not succeed. From there I came home and
amused myself until dinner with a little of Salmagundi. A most singular assortment
of queer ideas and humourous description. More here at dinner than usual, Wheatland,
Tudor, Sheafe and Dwight.

I spent the afternoon, employed pretty closely in writing up my Journal which I did
and in reading a Chapter in Mitford which I have again resumed. It was an account,
today, of the battles of Plataea and Mycale and the final defeat of the Persian
forces, very well given indeed. As it is mere description, although very
interesting, it has few of the properties of history. I can therefore say but little
on the subject. Suffice it that when the prayer bell rang I felt far more satisfied
with myself than I have for sometime.

After tea Dwight, Tudor and I took a walk and walking by Mr. Rules’ we went in and
took some strawberries. I was much pleased with the walk, indeed my feelings which
were so lately affected against my friends are now as much in their favour. The
truth is, I have become fastidious and wish to enjoy them alone. Richardson is now
such an eternal pest that I can hardly like their society when alloyed by his. It
is
singular that I should have such feelings towards an individual for whom I was
exceeding sorry in the fall but he is a man who pleases better by a distant
acquaintance. I do not think any thing but a change in his character could reconcile
him to my comfort. Returning as the Evening was a very beautiful one, we remained
in
front of the house until quite late, and conversed concerning the work of the day.
In truth it is long since I have spent a pleasanter evening than this, the more so
as I was to incur no consequences in the enjoyment of it. XI:15.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0008-0004

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-07-04

Sunday. July 4th. VIII.

Arose, after having again missed Prayers, but this is as usual for I have not
attended one on Sunday morning since the commencement of the Junior year, I might
say since the middle of my Sophomore. I wrote my journal in the morning and read a
few numbers of Salmagundi which diverted me as usual. I do think however that his
sort of wit has too much sameness to delight all the time. I also attended Chapel
and heard the President and Dr. Ware deliver consolatory sermons to the widower
Professor Willard.

I have omitted to mention, although I have thought of it more than once, the death
of Lord Byron in Greece, which is announced in the newspapers. There are but few men
in an age of real talent, he was { 221 } one of these few. He had a mind
comprehending far more than this earth, there was no subject grand enough for this
man’s conception. He strained for more than the lot of man and missed his aim by
falling into obscurity. He could not understand the [ . . . ]1 which he himself was desirous to aspire at. His head grew
giddy as he ascended and wishing nevertheless to continue distinguished, he plunged
into a marsh below. His last productions disgrace him, they do him no honor even for
talent; for morality, he never was distinguished.

After dinner it being the fourth of July, we, Sheafe, Tudor, Richardson and myself
determined to celebrate it and therefore drank a bottle of Champagne. We toasted the
day, the signers of the declaration of Independence and withal I drunk success to
my
brother John who is on this day, twenty one years old. May he be happy,
distinguished, and may he maintain the dignity of the Adams family. I
unintentionally almost spent in this way, nearly all the afternoon, and had no power
to do any thing but read over my lesson for tomorrow morning and the one for the
review. My afternoon went in this way, the Evening was taken up in walking, taking
out Mr. Norton’s2 swing post and performing sundry
other feats too numerous and too heroic to place in my Journal. I returned home and
after some conversation with Richardson which was as usual very troublesome.3 I wonder if I am to be bored with him all my College
life. In the Evening I studied my Enfield over again and read my Bible as usual.
Went to bed early. X.

Monday July. 5th. V:45.

Attended Prayers and recitation this morning, being prevented from sleeping by the
firing of cannon and ringing of bells by which the celebration of this day was
commenced. As the true day came on Sunday, this day was fixed upon as the festival
day. Of course we had no exercises after the Morning and I was for once freed from
the trouble of squadding my section. After breakfast, we went into the Commons Hall
as usual upon such occasions and sung patriotic songs, a custom which has been
existing for a long time here but which has been wofully shortened and curtailed of
late. Like all the other old habits it is advancing fast to it’s end.

After this we remained in the Piazza of the University until the { 222 } President’s freshman arrived with the parts for next Exhibition, they being our
first Majors as we call them. Wilder1 got the first
much to the displeasure, I cannot say the surprise of many, who nevertheless hoped
Chapman would obtain it. The rest it is hardly worthwhile to mention except where
I
am directly connected with them. Otis had a part, a Conference with Fisher and
Greenough. Brenan and Lothrop had another. I was left out much to my joy as I hope
I
shall be in every Exhibition for in my mind they are the very smallest things in the
world. I cannot relish being stuck in public view, below so many others who will
never have an opportunity to come above me again. I am not aristocratic except as
to
talents and acquirements which I know many better scholars are my inferiors in. I
was very glad that Lothrop obtained a part although I must confess it was unexpected
altogether. His rank in the estimation of the class would not have entitled him to
the fortieth rank in the class.2 Brenan was most
excessively discontented because he was put with him, and although he had some right
to be, I thought it hardly worthwhile to make so many faces at such a little thing.
The members of our society were much gratified at their having parts also, from the
reason that they were able to give a treat to them at Fresh Pond as usual. We
accordingly went. I drove up there in the chaise which I had engaged to go to Quincy
with and we enjoyed ourselves considerably. Many of our class were present together
with a few Seniors, meaning Tudor and Wheatland. Otis had gone to town as usual and
very much in character.

But I could not remain here long and fulfill my promise or duty to George so
although very unwilling I took my departure. In fact I think it was fortunate for
me
that I went away as I felt the punch which I had taken was beginning to operate. A
swift ride cured me of this, though I thought that every thing would be over before
I arrived unless I hurried on, which I did amazingly. I passed the meeting house in
Dorchester as the Company had formed to enter it, so I thought I should certainly
arrive at Quincy when they were coming out. When I got to the house, there was but
one person in it and that was “that bright” Miss Samson,3 the antipathy woman. She told me I
was too late, which did not deter me from going to the Meeting House and breaking
in
upon what I supposed Mr. Whitney’s concluding Prayers and I cursed myself over and
over for coming at all. The Parson finished what I have often heard before and to
my
surprise and I will add pleasure George got up and commenced his Oration. It was not
in the general tone of pieces of this sort, it was not mere declamation. { 223 } It was a historical account of the causes of the revolution. It was
very well written but in my humble opinion appeared to be a little too plain for the
learned and a little too obscure for the ignorant. This objection was however
overruled. The five closing pages were really quite good, the description of
character was quite good for a young man who has studied so little of it in his
life. His closing passage was fine. I may risk the imputation of coolness towards
him by speaking so qualifiedly, but I cannot talk extremes, I cannot tell him what
I
did not feel. I will give him my opinion if asked but shall not press it upon any
one. The production is not an ordinary one but it is not so extraordinary as many
people in Quincy from interested motives would wish him to believe and will succeed
in their object I am afraid, if I judge by his usual character.4 I heard his praises sounded far and wide by those very
people long before he came home and I know that one sign of them would be to go at
him openmouthed. Well did the poet commence his address

“Parent of wicked, bane of honest deeds

Pernicious Flattery.”

He finished and I waited no longer but came directly home, not much pleased with
the idea of meeting so much unpleasant company. I first bounced upon Mrs. Smith and
Mrs. Cruft,5 who gave me the whole story of their
pleasures and displeasures without amusing me much. I then went round saluting my
acquaintance, found my Grandfather and was surprised at finding him so well and able
to endure the fatigue of the day. It was a proud one for him as he saw his grandson
receiving the reward of talent and heard the acclamations with which his name was
greeted in spite of Colonel Pickering or whoever else chooses to attack it. It was
a
proud day at Quincy for the whole Adams family.

After a little conversation we sat down to a collation for about sixty people and
I
had the pleasure of seeing about ten young ladies on the
downward side of life without any beauty to recommend them. I was not so fortunate
as to go near them but I was next to one who played more forcibly on my passions,
which by the punch in the morning had been roused, nor were they yet settled down.
This was no one else than Miss Abby. Something or other, a cap or I know not what,
made her appear certainly much handsomer than usual, and I who am just in the heyday
of the blood fell most woefully in love with her for two hours, and had I met her
alone, should certainly have made an extreme fool of myself. I was too tired however
to take the trouble and { 224 } perhaps a very little prudence restrained
me. I rather think Miss Harriet saw through me and gave me a cut indirectly. I
always suspect something of the kind from her speeches. Suffice it I got through
without injury and made myself additionally sensible that I must not play with
burning coals. I had some conversation with Miss Thaxter6 of the literary sort as she is a “bas bleu.” I rather
imagine I took the right chord there. The Boston company went home and was succeeded
by Mr. Marston’s school and the Quincy families who played and danced here sometime.
Afterward George came home but I was so exceedingly fatigued that it was out of my
power to remain awake. XI.

Tuesday. July. 6th. VIII.

Arose considerably but not entirely refreshed from the dreadful fatigue of
yesterday. I have seldom felt more overcome than I did on that day. My feelings
having been acted upon in a variety of ways, affected my body almost as much as the
exercise which was not inconsiderable. After having taken breakfast I sat in the
parlour a little while but found nothing amusing. The girls never become in the
least pleasant until the afternoon, and as to the old lady, she never is, to me at
least. So that on the whole I thought it advisable to retire, and have no more to
say to them. I sat with George half an hour but we could gain nothing from this as
I
presume he was afraid to talk of his prevailing idea as he knows my character, and
I
did not feel inclined to hurt his feelings, besides keeping my determination. There
was a sort of half stiffness on both sides which we could not get over and which I
at last did not attempt. Our conversation was principally concerning the dinner and
toasts of yesterday.

As the day threatened rain, I found nothing to keep me here and consequently set
off for home and old Cambridge again. I carried George two miles as far as Neponset
Hotel as he wished to take a ride and stopped with him a little while at this house.
I am glad that I { 225 } came out as my absence would have excited
observation. I did not think men were so critical. The absence of all the Quincy
family was particularly noticed and George appears to think that he is jealous, I
mean the young man,1 for I have always believed my
father’s superiority over the old man has been a source of bitterness always to
them. They are not a family of talent and have resorted to a mean attempt to raise
themselves on the misfortunes of one of our family.2
When my father is not here, he3 is a great man and
by his manner excites one to wish him kicked downstairs. I despise a little great
man, and I do think Mr. Judge Mayor Quincy has as much right to that title as any
man I have ever seen. None of his4 class were there
either. George at College did not take the course to make true friends, he did not
calculate upon the men but consulted his feelings and taste. Not that I praise his
taste, but let every man have his way in this. I hope I have made a better solution,
certainly a more respectable one here.

But all these reflections have nothing to do with the principal matter. I thought
over this quickly as he was talking of it, and speaking of Quincy, whom he appears
to take in the light of a rival. I was in a hurry and therefore left him without
much preface. I rode home without stopping and got to Cambridge at about twelve
having missed two recitations. The town felt all new to me as if I had been absent
for some time and my acquaintance all shook my hand so that really, I began to think
a week had passed since I had seen them. From the excitement of yesterday I felt
dull also today. Every thing appeared so settled and quiet when I had seen so much
bustle that I was unable to do anything. I read my Bible which was somewhat behind
hand and wrote one day of my Journal. I also attended a lesson to Mr. Farrar in
Trigonometry. He has got quite tired of hearing us in private class and wishes us
to
catch up again with the class so as to recite with them, a measure which I do not
much care about taking.

I spent the afternoon in a listless uncomfortable sort of a way without much
purpose. It is the most uncomfortable feeling under Heaven to suffer under. No
letters too from home which always makes me feel lonely. After tea, I squadded my
section upon the Common for the first time. They did exceedingly well and I received
much credit for my trouble. The fact is that the other Officers have been in the
habit of keeping their sections on the run all the time, they have given them
variety but no principles and consequently they go too fast through all their
manoeuvres. I afterwards stopped and talked with Silsbee &c. in front of
Hollis5 concerning this company, received some
advice from him as to the management of it and then came { 226 } home. I
then sat to, to read over both the lessons for tomorrow morning as I am now
determined to be regular at recitations for the next weeks. They were easy so I was
not occupied very long. I then read my Chapters as usual. Regularity gives me great
satisfaction but notwithstanding I have very little of it. One week more frees me
from my promise and I have to commence a branch of study which as it directly
affects my future means of life, it is my duty, my interest, every thing which can
call upon a man in life, to study it. My resolution may be broken but I hope not.
I
can do no more. If I am weak it is only my misery to be conscious of it. I ought to
be more independent. X:20.

Wednesday. July 7th. VI.

Attended Prayers and recitations this morning very fortunately, and was called upon
in a long proposition, the commencement of which I was prepared to recite. Had he
continued one word farther than what I actually recited, I think it would have been
not so well. No exercises after the Morning as the Seniors were examined today. I
squadded my section in the hall this morning on the right oblique step. I then went
and took a warm bath which gave me a feeling of fatigue all day. The rest of the
morning was employed in writing my Journal and doing a little at the bookstore.

I made an engagement to take a ride this afternoon with Otis, but while at dinner
we were surprised by the cry of fire and a tremendous pillar of smoke arose in the
direction of Boston. It was in appearance at the bottom of Beacon street as seen
from the tops of the Colleges. Otis consequently hurried into town to see if his
father’s was in danger and left me to enjoy the afternoon alone. I therefore took
up
Mitford again and read his view of the Western Countries politically connected with
Greece and of the Grecian settlements in Sicily and Italy. The history was rather
uninteresting and merely embraced a short account of the Grecian settlements. A
small definition of History I met with which struck me and I shall insert it in my
Common Place Book.

I then went to the book store where I met Cunningham who had been into Boston and
who told me that the fire had caught in Charles Street, had extended up Beacon
Street and had burnt sixteen houses besides stables, barns, shops &c. in great
numbers. In short there has { 227 } not been such a fire for a great
while, it has taken off some very pretty houses. A great effort checked it at a Mr.
Eckley’s1 at the bottom of the street. Otis
returned before Prayers. It appears that all the people in the street were in a
fright and were fixing their houses in preparation, had moved all their furniture,
in short that the mall presented a very queer sight—of furniture, books and every
thing else lying without distinction all over the common.2 I was troubled with the ringing here and in fact managed
somehow or other to spend an extremely unpleasant day, deriving no satisfaction or
pleasure from my own reading or any thing. Indeed I begin to believe that unless
soon recovered I shall lose my taste for reading which to me would be the most
serious loss in the world.

After Prayers, I read my lesson over and then went upstairs to attend a Meeting of
the Lyceum Club which was held tonight for the first time this term at Wheatland’s
room. The Members did not arrive until very late, nine o’clock for example. And Otis
was tired, Chapman’s eyes by working at this fire were almost out of his head. I
know no place where Otis shows himself more unpleasantly than at parties of this
sort, he has no sort of knowledge how to please them, he does not become warm but
on
the contrary, either goes to sleep or complains of something the matter with him.
He
has not those feelings which make him an agreable companion because he has not any
energy in his composition. How few there are in this world who can be called
perfectly agreable. How few there are in whom the ingredients are mixed in perfect
proportion. If Otis has too little energy, Dwight has too much of it. If the one is
easily moved, the other is the most difficult. Positive even when incorrect and the
more so when the most are against him. It is one of the faults, I have to find in
him. Another is his whimwham, to use the expression of the Author of Salmagundi, his
frequent expressions of like and dislike which are unpleasant and according to the
strict rule of good breeding, improper.

The society met, Lothrop absent who will not probably join the club this term.
Cunningham was proposed and admitted, a little other business was settled and we
employed ourselves much in our usual way. We played cards for a little while and
gave them up to take a few strawberries after which we resumed our amusement not
with much life however, as Chapman was really in pain and Otis “as stupid as a
beast.” We therefore threw this up and began with a little singing not however in
a
very loud strain. Tudor was somewhat exhilarated, from the effect of the end of
College life and the variety { 228 } of liquors which he took. I staid
here till late and humoured Tudor as much as possible. Richardson is unpleasant at
a
treat of this kind because he becomes talkative, noisy, and impertinent. Sheafe was
sulky. The Meeting however was pleasant as I was in one of my quiet fits3 and amused myself with the nonsense of others. My
complaisance cost me a sick fit this evening, thanking Heaven that this is the last.
I.

Thursday. July. 8th. VI:5.

Missed Prayers but awoke in sufficient time to attend recitation, not in very good
time for it, but I was not called upon. After breakfast I attended a squad of my
section. My guide was not out so that I was unable to advance them as fast as the
other commandants had done theirs. I then wrote a theme on the subject of style, “he
that would write, should read.” I was much pleased with the subject and wrote it
very soon indeed. In observations on style I cannot help thinking that the most
proper are the cautions concerning false taste which is so often prevalent in the
style of this century. Reading good books is an excellent preservative against this,
as we naturally take our form of expression from them and are disgusted when we meet
with any thing which opposes our ideas of nature. I am not so extravagantly fond of
natural style as many people but still I like it much. I then carried up my Theme.
I
insert it here as worthy of remark that Mr. Channing approved one line of my last
Theme.

I then went to the reading Room, found no News and was considerably disappointed at
not finding any letters for me. Returned home, wrote my Journal and finished
Salmagundi with which I have been exceedingly amused. I then went to a Lecture from
Mr. Nuttall who discussed the property of the Monadelphia and Diadelphia Classes of
Linnaeus. I also attended Testament as it appears for the last time. Dr. Popkin at
the close of the recitation gave us his usual words, “Farewell and I wish you well.”
Having thus completed an education in the languages, after a study of nine years in
Latin and six in Greek, I must conclude by saying that I do not regret this
much.

Mathematics over, and Education that trouble of life, at least the { 229 } drudgery of it is over, and I enter upon matters directly
pertaining to the course in life which I am about to pursue. The day opens upon me
at a distance when I shall be able to go on in that track which I have laid down for
myself. Attended Prayers, gave my section an excellent squad upon the wheeling and
turning, after which I spent an hour with Rundlet and Lothrop as usual. They are
both very good fellows and we amused ourselves conversing for some time after which
I came home, a few minutes at Wheatlands, Silsbee there. Looked over Bible and
lesson and went to bed. X:35.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0008-0009

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-07-09

Friday. July 9th. VI.

Attended Prayers and recitation in Enfield but was not called upon, Mr. Hayward
very seldom troubles me with questions now, a very singular but certainly not
disagreable circumstance. I had intended after breakfast to have given my squad a
drill, but forgot all about the matter and so did they. I then wrote some of my
Journal and attended Mr. Channing’s Lecture, the final one upon Oratory. He
commenced by wishing to know what Oratory was, and why one Man would please without
much talent, while another who was really an able man would be dull? It depended he
said upon a natural gift far above art with which some men were able to act with
greater force. Art might remedy faults but nothing but nature could make great
beauties. He then made some observations on extemporaneous speaking. It had in
former times been a habit with the ancient Orators to write their Orations
elaborately and when any particular passage pleased to repeat it at other times and
in different situations with equal applause. If such a thing were to be attempted
now, the man would only make himself ridiculous. The principal part of our Eloquence
is composed of speeches at the bar or in Assemblies where they are almost entirely
extemporaneous. A good Orator is supposed to be prepared for every subject and ought
to act as if he had anticipated every question before it came into notice. He then
made a few observations concerning the reasons why extemporaneous eloquence should
have such effect with which he closed all he had to say on Oratory. These
observations, I do not recollect. Much of this last lecture was a repetition of what
had formerly been said in the different parts of the subject. Now he has completed
this part of his course, I should wish to know whether I have gained one single idea
from every thing he has told me. Whether there is any thing in all these lectures
which a man would not of himself, almost immediately observe. Having done with this,
I returned home and employed myself all the morning { 230 } writing
&c. My letters to and from home have been strangely neglected of late but my
Journal and my pleasure has been a pretty incessant occupation. I refer every thing
like business to be done, until after next Tuesday which is the day on which we
become the highest class in Harvard University.1

After dinner I attended a lecture from Mr. Nuttall concerning flowers which was
very interesting but which I could not understand quite so well as I wished to owing
to the heat of the room. I returned home at four o’clock and read a Chapter in
Mitfords Greece giving the history of Greece until the time of Cimon. Themistocles
made the policy of Athens maritime and was among the first in [ . . . ] wealth and
power to a nation, to arise from Commerce and naval strength. In those days it was
still more advantageous than now because few people were prepared to resist a force
of this kind. It is surprising to reflect on the power always acquired in this way
by a people, and at this day we can hardly cite a people as flourishing who do not
depend very much upon navigation. The English are a striking example of success, as
the nation without continual supply in this way could never have supported half what
it has been called upon to contribute. The Athenians, hitherto unknown, by embracing
this course became powerful and rich and by these means gave that encouragement to
literature and elegance which has continued them to this day.

I had scarcely finished my reading before Brenan came in and we conversed
concerning the characters of individuals, their ambition, &c. very pleasantly
all the rest of the afternoon. He is very agreable when he does not undertake to
conceal his natural character for that of a morose man which he seems most
singularly to covet. Prayers were delayed half an hour this Evening, on account of
the funeral of Gray2 which was attended by the
Senior Class. He died this morning after a sickness of about a fortnight. I believe
he was a very excellent fellow. The President gave a very feeling Prayer concerning
him this evening which seemed to have a remarkable effect upon the students in
general. After tea, My section came out with guns the first time and did very well
considering. The Evening was a very beautiful one and I spent some time out talking
with Tudor, Sheafe &c. concerning the contemplated excursion tomorrow. I then
read my lesson over and my Bible but my night’s sleep was not sound. X:40.

1. Seniors were allowed to retire from college on the seventh Tuesday before
commencement (in 1824, on 13 July); commencement was held on the last Wednesday in
August. In the absence of the seniors, the juniors obviously became { 231 } the highest class. See Harvard Annual Cat., 1823, p. 16.

Saturday. July 10th. V:30.

Arose and after reading over my lesson attended Prayers and recitation in Enfield
in which as usual I went to sleep. The day was not a fair one although at first
there was little appearance of rain. After breakfast we dressed and prepared
ourselves for an extraordinary dash. Tudor and myself had agreed to go to Nahant
today in a tandem, and accordingly made up a party among our acquaintances to go
down. This consisted of four besides ourselves, Dwight and Chapman together in a
Chaise and Sheafe and J. Otis. It was the first time Tudor had been in a tandem and
I was a little anxious to see his driving but the horses were so well trained and
Tudor was so careful that we had no sort of difficulty. It is the most pleasing way
of driving in the world I think because it is the most novel and the most scarce.
They appear handsomer from the Chaise, I think, than they do as they pass, they
certainly make a Chaise go very much easier. We stopped a few moments at Linn [Lynn] to give them breath and then went on again. It began to rain
slightly just as we got upon that fine beach over which it is perfect pleasure to
ride, and we got to Nahant at about ten o’clock, two hours from the time we started,
a distance of about seventeen miles.

Arrived, we immediately went fishing but had not gone before the rest of the party
arrived. We all went together but did not remain more than an hour on account of the
rain which came on now with violence so that we retreated quickly to the Billiard
room. Two Freshmen, Potts and Pringle,1 were there,
and as the tables were engaged, four of us went to a bowling alley and spent two
hours there amusing ourselves in this way. The tables or alleys are remarkably fine,
made of the hardest wood and very accurately smoothed. To a person accustomed to
play upon other boards these are exceedingly difficult and I could not calculate
upon them in the least in the first part of the time, afterwards however I did
better. Chapman and myself beat Dwight and Sheafe very easily. Thus went the morning
and we went up to the great hotel with appetites not in the least diminished by the
air of the place which is proverbial for being hostile to all dinners &c. No
wonder therefore that they charge more.

We sat down to dinner with about twenty five people, certainly not more, perhaps
less. The dinner was not equal to my expectations and to my exquisite astonishment
there were no silver spoons on the table. { 232 } Heavens said I, is it
possible that our good friends the Boston people should be so condescending as to
take any thing from something less than silver at one of the most fashionable and
the most exquisite places under the sun. The dinner was an inferior one as no
company was expected. On the whole I was considerably disappointed in the quality
of
my dinner considering what I had to pay for it. I came down here to be an epicure
and could amuse myself in no way better than if I had stayed at the table of our
good hostess at home. I made the best of it however and, as I had an excellent
appetite to support me, I did not reject the meal such as it was. For the meats
although not delicious were well dressed and tender. Dinner done, the gentlemen
called for wine and as it was a particular occasion, we ordered the very best and
some cheese. The latter was excellent. The former, although the most particular, was
not good by the decision of the Company and we ordered some of another sort. This
latter was in my mind much the best and I enjoyed this and a very fine cigar very
much better than any thing else during the day.

We did not sit long at table but went off to the billiard room, where we spent the
afternoon as we could do nothing in the rain. Otis and I being the only players on
one table, were going to enjoy one when Dwight and Sheafe insisted upon being
admitted. As these were serious, we could have no pleasure, and it only provoked me
as I knew it was my fate to be beaten. Chapman came in and took my side which made
the matter worse. I was beaten both ways and now came to play off with Dwight and
Chapman. This was a matter of interest to me as the bill had now become a pretty
large one. I played first with Dwight, and played remarkably well but got beaten by
a lucky scratch. I then played with the other and beat him easily. We then found it
was time to return which we did. Tudor bought a dog which we carried home. We
arrived safe and after a very few words at Wheatland’s I went to bed. X:30.

Sunday. July 11th. VIII.

Arose considerably refreshed this Morning, and took breakfast. Found Cunningham
here, an addition to our number at the table, and I forgot that Silsbee had been
here ever since the death of Gray, and the consequent dispersion of his mother’s
boarders. The table is in consequence rather larger than I wish it and I shall not
be content until the Seniors leave and reduce it. The character of Cunningham I { 233 } have never given which is surprising as he has always ranked among
my friends but the reason is that I find it difficult to judge of it myself. That
he
is a man of talents of a superior sort, I am exceedingly inclined to doubt, that he
is a would be fashionable and lady’s man, I am certain and therefore think less of
him, that he is stiff and affected I am also certain, but at the same time I believe
he has many good feelings. His friendship is not to be slighted, because he will do
a man a service and he is pretty firm. There are sundry reasons which I cannot
myself tell, which make him agreable and as he is now endeavouring to correct his
faults which certainly want it.1 His habits are
acquired and if they once are broken he will become the same natural man which he
ought to be.

This morning, I wrote my Journal and attended Chapel, where I heard the President
deliver a sort of a farewell funeral Oration. It was a queer mixture of the Lord
knows what. In the afternoon Dr. Ware delivered an excellent sermon to the Seniors
as parting advice. It was plain and simple and extremely pleasant to a man’s
feelings, I should imagine, who was about to leave College. There is a pleasant and
at the same time a melancholy sort of feeling in seeing this class depart. Why
should I be sorry to stay here, where I enjoyed myself as much as I ever shall in
any part of my life, perhaps more? It is because I wish for
home as it is now and when I think that soon all the pleasure of that home will be
gone, even before I get out, I cannot help feeling sorry. There is a happiness for
a
social being in the bosom of a family, which I am afraid it is my lot never
hereafter to enjoy perhaps, but all things are in the womb of futurity and however
anxious I may be to know them, I must e’en content myself with the maxim “Sufficient
unto the day is the evil thereof.”

Such has been the state of my feelings today. I am glad when I think that we stay
here but one year more and sorry when these Seniors come to my remembrance. At the
same time I am attached to Cambridge and should scarcely feel less melancholy if I
had directions to leave it tomorrow, with a degree. My only desire is to rush into
the world. I wish to be acting my part like other men and feel now like a small dog
trying to leap a wall while the larger ones pass over and squeeling his soul out in
a fret because he cannot succeed. This is my first set figure
in this book, and perhaps not the most consistent with the rules of style. In
writing however I am a racer overleaping all obstacles and never returning over the
course. This is my second, and indeed I feel so metaphorical this evening that I
shall run over every thing so I will e’en return to my subject.

After tea I took a walk with Richardson, in which we had some conversation
concerning Wheatland with whom he has had a quarrel. He appears to be considerably
exasperated against him, on account of an affair about the Major’s detur2 in which I must confess from Richardson’s account of it, I
do not think that the former has acted as consistently with honor as he ought to
have done. But we must always make allowances for him. Every one who chooses to
overstep the rules of honor and good breeding will take the consequences upon his
own head. And I believe it will be found that as long as a man [preserves?] them he will pass easily through life. Our walk was a long
and a pretty pleasant one as he was in a humour which forbid his making so much of
a
fool of himself. Indeed could I have the tutoring of that man without the
intervention of any body else, I doubt not but what I could make him at least
tolerable. I could make him equal to Howard in manners and his own sense, which is
a
little superior to the other’s, would assist him and make him do. His natural wit,
a
good deal of which he has, would make him entertaining.

After our return, I went and did some business concerning the Knights with Mr.
Willard then came up and read over my lesson and Bible and then went to bed. I did
not get to sleep for some time however, as Tudor and Elliot were drinking Champagne,
in the third story. X:15.

2. A prize of books given annually at Harvard College to meritorious students.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0008-0012

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-07-12

Monday. July 12th. V:30.

Arose and attended Prayers and recitations. I was taken up this morning but it is
exceedingly singular, Mr. Heyward gives me but three lines to recite. I do not know
what to make of this man’s conduct to me, it is remarkable. After breakfast I
attended lecture. Mr. Channing commenced with some notice of the design of criticism
and it’s utility. He here diverged from his subject by talking of the few minds
governing a whole nation. The impulse which it gives to its feeling and it’s tone.
After having said enough concerning this, he brought it to bear upon his subject by
tracing the similarity in the school of criticism. A few people of fine taste
governed the rest, he said, and by this was meant the general voice commonly
expressed upon matters of taste. Comparatively very few of the whole mass of the
world know any thing about the matter, the voice of literary men has the power to
fix reputation upon a work. Shakespeare it has been said would not have been so
great a favourite were it not that Garrick had set him off { 235 } to
such advantage, but he thought that the voice of men of learning in general so
concentrated, that his reputation might have been retarded, it never could have been
finally depressed. It may have been a question, why these men should form themselves
into a tribunal to judge of all works peremptorily, and if there was not danger of
abuse in this power?1 A few cold hearted critics
might exert a dangerous influence upon literature by discouraging even merit, under
the influence of private feelings of dislike to the author. He thought though that
this could not be the case as there were always men enough to indulge different
opinions and that there could be scarce a sufficient coalition to render any
injustice. The public voice could not be suppressed by such means as these. It was
on the whole not a very bad lecture, his observations were generally just and
although rather common place, I expect it. As we had finished Greek Testament we had
nothing else to do this day but prepare for a lesson in Paley’s Moral Philosophy
this being our next, last, and most important branch. We attended to a get a lesson
set but obtained a miss very unexpectedly so that we shall have no morning exercises
for this week, a thing not much desired by me as our term is easy enough without
it.

I employed the rest of my morning in writing my Journal. I forgot to say that the
Bowdoin prizes were declared this morning, one was given for a dissertation on China
by Emerson and another for one on the Classics, by Whitman of our class.2 The parts for Commencement were assigned during our absence
on Saturday. The first Oration being given to Emerson, the second to Newell.3 The dissertations were read today one in the morning
and another in the afternoon but I did not attend either of them as I presumed they
would be long and probably dull.

In the afternoon, I attended a lecture of Mr. Nuttall’s at three, it being
postponed on account of Emerson’s Dissertation. It was a very good one on the
compound flowers, but I had some difficulty in keeping the track with him. He is so
rapid in his manner, he gives no time for the examination of the flowers, he himself
proposes to you. Returning home I found a message from Mr. Farrar directing me to
attend him at his study this Evening but regret that my military engagements
detained me. I do think however that this is somewhat of an authoritative step, to
call for me when I wish to be absent. I spent an hour talking with Otis upon the
subject and then came down stairs again to write up my Journal which now seems to
take up nearly all my time. Thus I was going on until Prayers which I attended and
gave my squad a drill. They performed the Manual exceedingly well { 236 } and received the credit of the whole company. I think fairly speaking they are the
best drilled in the company nor do I take much credit to myself for it, as in my own
humble opinion the others do much less than they might. Any thing like telling them
is an injury to their feelings, and Lothrop tonight appeared considerably affected
because Cunningham told him the plain state of the case. We sat at Mr. Willard’s
until nine o’clock, the time appointed for a meeting of the officers at the
Captains. We employed our Evening pretty carefully and went through all the
evolutions correctly, which we have been accustomed in the former company. We then
spent sometime in talking over the affairs of the Company and in discussing the
materials before us, so that it was eleven o’clock before we adjourned. I then went
directly to my room, read my lesson and Bible and then went to bed. XI:30.

1. A question mark after “peremptorily” has been eliminated, but CFA’s questionable
grammar has been left intact.

Tuesday. July 13th. VIII.

Missed Prayers and recitation very unintentionally indeed, my drowsy faculties
predominating. I heard no bell until the second to recitation which I took for that
for Prayers and accordingly dressed and got half down there before I found out my
mistake. I regret this as it injures my intention although I was entirely
faultless.

We had no Morning Exercises owing to the departure of the Seniors and the
consequent ceremony which takes place today. A Prayer was offered at nine o’clock
by
Mr. Burnap1 for the Senior Class as usual. I did not
hear it however. I wrote my Journal at home and was getting along finely when
Wheatland came down and gave me an invitation to go up to his room for the last
time, and take some of his last offering. Such a call, I could not refuse, and I
determined to let this day fall a sacrifice and the last which I should make to
pleasure of any sort. I accordingly went up and found our class principally, Dwight,
Cunningham and our few fellows. Wheatland, who usually is a damper, was no such
thing to day as all fear of College censure was taken off, and made more noise than
any of the rest. We sang a number of songs in high glee and finally created such a
tremendous roar that Mr. Heyward sent over an extremely polite message, to caution
us. It was fortunate for us that this was the case for otherwise we might have staid
too long, but as it was just the time for the Oration to commence, we went off. I
rather should say, they, because I staid at home a little { 237 } while,
then went up the steps of the Chapel, heard the Presidents Prayer which was enough
for me and I immediately went away to the bookstore where I remained and read the
papers at the Athenaeum until the time that the Oration and Poem were finished. On
my return I found the students enthusiastic concerning them, Lunt got some credit
for his poem, I am inclined to think these little things bubbles. As to the class’s
crying, they, or some of them, are always sufficiently ready to make that
appearance, but I was satisfied with the reality of this when I heard Barnwell’s
three years since, which in itself never could make a man cry in this world.
Nevertheless there were many who tried hard to show some feeling of this kind upon
the occasion.

One of our visitors to dine today was Robinson whom I have not seen before for a
long time, at least to address at all. He looks well and appears to be in moderately
good spirits. I should imagine though, that a day of this kind would make him feel
melancholy as he was the cause of the loss of so much enjoyment here and of so much
life if I may so term it. He alluded to it but once today and then I thought with
some feeling.2 After dinner we adjourned to
Wheatland’s room, but did not stay more than a few minutes as some of us were going
different ways upon business. I went to Dumont’s3
for some money for the Knights but could not find him. Dwight and Cunningham went
to
Boston in a Chaise. My mind was in such a state of excitement that I was not in the
least able to get my lesson for this afternoon and as I understood this was the
general sentiment of the class, I expected a miss somewhat. I consequently made an
engagement with Lothrop to take a ride which we did and went that beautiful road on
the border of Jamaica Pond and round the cultivated part of Brooklyne. It is one of
the prettiest rides which I have ever seen in this Country, the ground is so rich
and so beautifully cultivated. We stopped a few moments to refresh ourselves on the
road but returned in full time for Prayers.

After tea I was giving my squad all the instruction in the world when a shower put
us all to flight in a hurry. I returned to my room and meeting Tudor, we made an
agreement to spend the last evening together. Wheatland went in the afternoon. We
sent for some wine and spent the evening in a comfortable game of Whist at
Richardson’s room. I enjoyed myself considerably as there was no more of that
boisterous noise which troubles me so now. We had a comfortable sing but no noise.
Our Class had a meeting, at least a number of them at the arbour, to perform the old
ceremony of it’s christening.4 There is a powerful
spirit of old custom in College even now which creates { 238 } more
difficulty to the Government than all the new inclinations of the students. I was
glad to find that there could be a Class Meeting although I did not regret my
absence as they are seldom pleasant. J. Otis and Dwight came up here, and staid a
few moments. I heard the shout of the Class as we were sitting there. We broke up
at
eleven o’clock having spent our last Evening. I looked over my lesson and Bible.
XI:30.

2. A Robinson (possibly John P. Robinson of Dover, N.H.) was dismissed from Harvard
in May 1823 for causing “disorders and outrages” (Records of the College Faculty,
10:27, Harvard Archives; Harvard Annual
Cat., 1822).

4. Possibly this was the class-day tree ceremony, during which shouting seniors,
dressed in odd-mated clothes, scrambled for a wreath of flowers placed high in an
old elm tree, located near Holden, Hollis, and Harvard halls (Cambridge Sketches, ed. Estelle M. H. Merrill, Boston, 1896, p.
91–92).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0008-0014

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-07-14

Wednesday. July 14th. VII.

Missed Prayers and recitation again this morning, although I had cautioned
Richardson last night to rouse me which he did, but sleep overpowered me and I fell
back again and did not awake until I found Otis laughing at my surprise. I could not
help doing so too although it was a serious matter. My negligence has been singular
and nevertheless it appears to me impossible that it should have been less for I
appear almost forced to every bit of it. I am marked for four recitations this week,
two of them I could not avoid. I certainly preferred Mr. Nuttall’s Lecture to a
recitation which could not profit me at all and yesterday I could not study.

After breakfast I attended Mr. Channing, who continued his subject of the different
methods of criticism. He spoke of the class of Annotators to old books and poets,
and also to books which had an immediate bearing upon the professions, these last
were the most voluminous, they pretended to explain obsolete or difficult passages
and terms, and also to give the sense of their author in their interpretation. This
was not productive of much good as every man entertained his own opinion and laid
it
down in dry prose, so that it was of more injury than it was worth to a good author
to break off in a fine passage to examine a dull dry note giving you no information
in a great deal of [words?]. The fact was that with these
men, the difficulty was that they added notes where no information was wanted and
gave no satisfaction whenever some was. He then passed on to notice Literary Reviews
of the present day, he sketched their history { 239 } and their
influence. The Edinburgh Review he said had obtained an authority over all matters
of taste and there were many advantages in it for they checked all incorrect style.
But one disadvantage in the system was that it forestalled public opinion, it
brought a fashion of superficial reading too much into habit. Persons were contented
with extracts and satisfied with the representation whatever it was which the
reviewer chose to give to his work. Here was an opening for injustice and a habit
which was a bad one.

Tudor went this morning with his puppy and I felt singularly upon
[it] for I have become quite attached to him, the traits of his
character are so directly catching to a young man that it is impossible not to be
pleased with him. His unpopularity at College has been singular, and has originated
for the most part in Southern prejudice.

I have never given Wheatland’s Character. It is such a compound of vanity, Narrow
mindedness, malignity, and benevolent feeling that I cannot exactly ascertain the
true ingredients. His system of bullying, over Richardson and Otis, I did not like
at all, and his weakness finally exposed him considerably. His envy made him angry
with many here who were in better circumstances and made him slander many unfairly.
He had no spirit of justice in his likes and dislikes, and would repeat stories
concerning men, of a nature which he knew to be incorrect or exaggerated, without
observing the cause however small it might be which made him say so. He was withal
kind to inferiors, and to those who were sick, when his envy was laid by any
mortification on another, his kind feelings predominated. His prejudices changed
quickly when an opportunity offered for soothing them. He loved distinction, and
therefore took the character of an eccentric man, or as they call it here, odd. He
was in consequence visited respectably without having to support the expense. Above
all his ruling passion was Economy. Thus much for him, I shall see him but little
hereafter and shall remain content with the idea of having spent a year with him on
friendly terms.

We went to Mr. Hedge this morning who read us a Lecture upon the subject of Moral
Philosophy. It was attended to very much as usual, and I although I attempted
something like it in the beginning, do not think worthwhile to detail it. In the
afternoon we went to Mr. Farrar at three o’clock and he kept me up to go through two
lessons and gave me something of a screwing as the students call it. He has so much
rapidity in his manner that his enumeration of figures confuses a young man and his
severity when you are wrong depresses considerably. The rest of the afternoon I
spent writing up the Journal { 240 } which has at last I believe got up
to its proper regularity and I hope now that the Seniors are gone, that it will not
again become a trouble to me. After Prayers, I drilled my Squad as usual, they did
not perform at all well and I was quite in a bad humour when I went to the usual
Meeting. After which I returned home, got my lesson and retired much on the usual
hour. The Sophomores were fined four dollars a man for combination to be absent
yesterday from Mr. Hedge. X:30.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0008-0015

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-07-15

Thursday. July. 15th. V:55.

Attended Prayers and the last recitation in Enfield. I am rejoiced at this as it
has been an exceedingly disgusting book from it’s length. We commenced somewhere in
July and have been studying it the whole year except the first term. It is a work
too which by the progress of Philosophy wants much correcting. I do not think young
men ought to derive their ideas from a book of this sort, because erroneous
impressions are with great difficulty worn off. There is much in Astronomy it
appears to me, which might be left off as it hardly is worth the trouble given in
studying it. Our next work is Topography and this I believe is our last in the
course of Mathematics at Cambridge. This is much consolation to me. For I cannot be
pleased with mere mining although we do obtain, I will not say gold for I do not
think it so precious, I will say, copper, which makes up by its currency and use for
want of value.

This day was our’s as the other division read Forensics to Mr. Hedge in the Morning
and in future we have no lesson in the afternoon on this day of the week, for the
rest of this term. I wrote my Journal in the Morning and spent an hour and a half
foolishly at the bookstore this Morning endeavouring to select a book as a present
from Tudor, and did not succeed after all.

I also went to the Reading room and was a good deal affected by seeing a piece in
the National Journal evidently from the hands of my father, which possessed all that
bitterness and caustic severity which he is so much noted for.1 I regretted this as it will be made a handle against him
for accusations which have been made already and although I think that the printers
have acted in a most scandalous manner I am afraid that they will turn his own high
feelings against him. For my own part however, I am anxious that he should show
himself what he is and preserve that lofty character which has been matter of so
much satisfaction to himself already. Whether the people of the United States do
give him the honor or not is doubtful but were I no relative to the family of this
I
am sure, that I should think him { [fol. 240] } { [fol. 240] } { [fol. 240] } { [fol. 240] } { 241 } the greatest, I am not certain that I should not say the only
candidate, who is fit for the high office which they are putting him up for. He may
not, he will not obtain it, but he will retire from his office with the proud
satisfaction of having done his duty to his country.

I am satisfied in either way. My opinion would not be altered as to his merit nor
do I think that a contrary decision would be the voice of the majority of this
people. I returned home considerably anxious and have thought much of this since.
I
cannot help being interested although I endeavour not to be, and my wish continually
is that it was over when I should know what would become of me. The time is fast
approaching and a few months more will settle the affair.

I read Plutarchs life of Themistocles, this Afternoon, and read a Chapter in
Mitford. The leading feature in the character of this man appears to have been
unbounded ambition, he had a high mind which despising trifles looked only to those
great ends which were to make him a man, and a hero. The anecdotes told here
concerning him tend remarkably to this belief and set off this part of his character
strikingly. If he was eager to obtain money, it was only that he might gain more
influence, for avarice was no part of his composition. On the whole I think he is
certainly as great a man as Aristides. I do not know but that I could say a greater.
In Mitford, I got to the time of Pericles, and the end of the first war with
Lacedaemon. At this time Athens was in it’s greatest glory, the most powerful, the
richest, the most elegant and literate commonwealth of Greece which was the first
in
arts in the world. We begin here to trace the causes which led to the destruction
of
this power, which made the people licentious and which finally brought on ruin upon
the republic.

I attended Mr. Nuttall’s Lecture today upon the Gynandrous plants and upon the
classes of Monoecia and Dioecia of Linnaeus. It was not an interesting lecture nor
a
very instructive one as it requires peculiar attention to be given to it for some
time, a mere lecture being scarcely sufficient to explain even the general character
of the flower. I took a nap this afternoon unintentionally by which means I lost an
hour. On the whole however I spent the day very profitably and after Prayers gave
my
section a squad, they did better but not so well as usual, they have exercised so
much of late that they are not to be calculated upon so much. My pride has obtained
a little healthy mortification by this. After the usual meeting of the Officers I
returned home and spent some time in getting the first lesson in Topography, at
least not the first but one in Heights and Distances. I then read my Bible and
retired. XI:15.

1. Ostensibly because the National Intelligencer had failed
to print all the documents relating to the slave trade convention the Monroe
administration had negotiated with Great Britain but instead had published only a
selection of the papers hostile to that treaty, JQA had authorized the publication
of official papers from the State Department in the rival National Journal. The fact that the Intelligencer
was neutral on the presidential question, while the Journal
was devotedly promoting JQA’s chances, doubtless influenced the Secretary’s
decision. When the editors of the Intelligencer objected,
JQA tartly defended his action and announced: “The Secretary of State asks neither
the favor or the friendship of the Editors of the Intelligencer.” See his unsigned
article in the National Journal, 10 July 1824, as reprinted
in the Daily National Intelligencer, 12 July 1824. For
further developments in this controversy, see entries for 17 and 20 July, below.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0008-0016

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-07-16

Friday. July 16th. VI.

Attended Prayers and recitation in Topography. Mr. Heyward has cheated the class
very unhandsomely out of a miss, as is always usual upon entering a new book. The
government certainly have some exceeding mean traits in their character and I think
this late fine1 is one of the most remarkable
instances of this character that has yet been shown. Had they punished them by
public admonition, I imagine it would have had the same effect and would have been
more honourable.

I attended a lecture of Mr. Channing’s this morning on style which appeared to me
one of the best he has yet delivered. The first thing which we do, he said, is to
analyze the feelings of the person writing, and his design. His method of expressing
himself whether manifesting any force of genius or not. There were two classes of
men he said, and with this he commenced his observations upon the utility of books
for style, very different from each other but each striking particularly by
contrast, the one was that class of men who have always applied themselves to books
exclusively and have spent all their days in a library. They will tell that now
there is nothing like originality, that a man is little else than a fool who
attempts to do any thing out of the line marked out for him by older and standard
Authors. What use they say or what advantage can be derived in attempting to do a
thing which has already been done better probably than you are able. If you ask them
whether conversation is not a good way of procuring knowledge and instruction, they
will tell you that at best it is a very loose way of gaining information and that
much time is lost which might be employed in study. If you ask them whether it is
not well to walk out and study the face of nature, observe it’s beauties and enjoy
the productions of the earth, They will say it is wasted time, for what is the use
of taking much time to learn that by experience yourself, which you can { 243 } soon get by that of others. Life is too short for a man to obtain
all knowledge of personal experience, we must trust to others who have gone before
us. It is better to give up some of the knowledge than merely be a book worm.

There is another class as common or more so in the world and far more disgusting,
when met with. It is that which rejects all books as the restraints and trammels of
genius, which arrogates to itself all knowledge from an instinctive possession, who
would only feel curbed by rules, and become tame when they could be great. Many
characters there are who do aspire to this eminence but there are very few who truly
are in this way affected. There are some. Vanity and Indolence however generally
prompt this sort of boasting and are on this account exceedingly unpleasant. He said
that reading was principally of use to store the mind with facts and images which
by
thought become our own. Almost all others may be charged with plagiarism if taking
figures from others may be considered so, but he did not think it was. In reading,
Ideas did not pass into the Memory sometimes but were retained insensibly as
subjects of meditation until they came out entirely new modelled. He then went upon
a little Metaphysics, he talked of the operations of the mind while awake and asleep
and at last resembled it to a man who could direct a stream through innumerable
channels in his garden. He might stop one and open another but he could not create
or give force to the stream. A man might give his mind direction in it’s thoughts
but he could not stop them or create them. But I have said enough of this lecture
although much in the first part I have omitted—the advice as to reading also which,
I might judge, was nothing but the medium between the extremes he described.

I employed the Morning in writing my Journal and reading a capital review on the
subject of America and abuse of it in the Quarterly, it is a worthy chastisement and
exhibits a powerful pen. In the afternoon I attended Declamation. The Sophomores
commenced today, they were frightened out of their wits and spoke very poorly in
general. After this, I attended Mr. Nuttall’s Lecture on the last class of Linnaeus,
Cryptogamia. I read this Afternoon one Chapter of Mitford, concerning the affairs
of
Greece for the thirty years truce, the wars of Corcyra, Potidaea and finally the
grand quarrel between Athens and Sparta. I also read a little of the romantic
Anacharsis and looked over my Evening lesson. After Prayers, I gave my squad a
drill, they did a little better but not perfectly well. After it was over, I went
over to a Meeting of the officers at the First Lieutenants where we practiced the
sword exercise, and performed a few of the manoeuvres in { 244 } platoons. The difficulty was however that our drinking provisions fell short very
quick, which was a grievous thing to me. I returned home, read my Bible and retired
immediately to bed. XI:30.

Saturday. July. 17th. VI.

Attended Prayers and recitation in Topography. Went to the bookstore and Athenaeum,
found very little in the papers. Mr. Force has bought the Washington Republican and
proposes to publish a daily paper in opposition to the Intelligencer. A number of
this latter paper did not come this Morning so that I was unable to see what answer
they made to my father. They have the most sliding, misrepresenting villainous way
with them that I have ever known in a publication. Though very justly punished, they
may do some injury.1 As I am perfectly independent
of all this however, I care not one cent.

I returned home and wrote my Journal and read one or two articles of the North
American Review. One on the subject of Boccaccio which did not appear of much
importance and one on the Tariff which I did not like although it comes from Mr.
Everett.2 It appears to me to be reasoning not of
the very strongest, but I was in such a languid state while reading it, that I
presume it was owing to that. I know not what it is, but my usual energy is gone.
Since the interval which I have taken my powers of mind are considerably weakened
and any thing but an exciting book puts me to sleep; I am determined to conquer
this.

In the afternoon, I remained in my room reading, finished a Chapter in Mitford
concerning the first Peloponesian War until the death of Pericles. An account of the
famous plague of Athens which made such havoc in the middle of a raging war. The
people of this city were unfortunate but the nature of their Government must have
prevented their success, for the people had become almost unmanageable. It is a
question not yet decided whether a people are able to govern themselves and it is
exceedingly doubtful whether even our experiment will succeed. I read the second age
of Anacharsis also. He makes romance of history.

I did business with Mr. Porter for the Knights and exchanged my Burns for a set of
Johnson at the Bookstore a very advantageous business for me. After Prayers I took
a
walk with Richardson, returning spent sometime at the Hotel with Dwight and others
after which we returned and I read my Bible, having had some pleasant converse with Richardson, went to bed. XI.

1. The editors of the National Intelligencer denied that they
had published a distorted selection of the documents concerning JQA’s slave trade
convention (see entry for 15 July, and note, above) but refused to make a personal or
political issue of the Secretary’s blunt attack, expressing “our sincere regret
that one, who has so many claims on our personal respect, should have permitted
himself to use this language” (Daily National
Intelligencer, 12 July 1824). The editors then attempted further to pacify
JQA by printing all the papers on the slave trade convention in an extra issue of
15 July.

Sunday. July 18th. VIII.

Missed Prayers this Morning, as usual with me, this being truly my only morning of
rest in the week. As I have not been excused this term, I determined not to attend
Chapel today, and seated myself very leisurely to spend a pleasant day at home. In
the morning I wrote my Journal and read some of the North American Review. This
publication appears to be pretty ably conducted nevertheless and this number has two
or three redeeming articles. There is a very amusing review of the late American
Novels, giving them the lashing they deserve.1 I do
think, the public have been drawn on to encourage some of the most wretched stuff
by
giving it the name of American. It is my opinion that we have no good writers of a
light style in our country with a few exceptions, a very few. All who are good
devote themselves to divinity and to politics. We have not become so populous a
nation as to make a large tribe of authors, the most miserable beings in existence.
Every one can obtain surer and better means of livelihood either from his profession
or else from some subordinate one which he privately pursues. Politics engross all
the attention of the talent of the country and young men who have ambition have easy
means of encouraging it as this people is particularly open to impression.

In the afternoon, I continued with Mitford and finished the Second Volume which
brings the History down to the application for peace by the Lacedaemonians. The
history of this war is a melancholy account of human nature, cruelty exerted and
unbridled, licentiousness of a mob encouraged. The moral sense of the age was not
delicate, revenge was indulged to it’s full and society was destroyed. It is
melancholy to think of men who really did possess noble qualities destroying
themselves for no purpose on earth but the satisfaction of a wretched jealousy. Had
this been a united people, it could have governed the world. Valour, heroism,
greatness of mind, and love of country were distinguishing traits in their general
character. They { 246 } called all foreign nations, barbarians, although
they themselves occupied but a very small portion of the globe known as it was at
that time, and the noble answer to the Persians dictated by Aristides is an
illustrious example of their firmness. The race of illustrious men had now passed
away and we now find Athens under the influence of Cleon and fast declining to her
ruin. The rest of her tale is but a melancholy account of misconduct, and
misfortune. I like the style of this History very well and think the author is
desirous to do justice to all parties. He gives as fair an account as possible
although he may be influenced a little too much in favour of Herodotus and
prejudiced against Plutarch. I do not know that I can speak so certainly on this
matter but it appears a little so to me.

Having done this I finished the afternoon with Plutarch’s life of Aristides. As
this is all appertaining to the same history, my remarks remain the same. In looking
back, over all my employment, I am surprised to find no Poetry or light reading of
any sort except Salmagundi for a few days. I am now uncertain which to commence,
Cowper or Pope in their unread Poems. My avocations are so
numerous now however that I am not certain whether I shall commence till the course
of Botany is finished. I read my first lesson in Paley over today. The subject is
certainly an interesting one and, treated in so simple a manner as it is by Dr.
Paley, I cannot help being pleased with it. I enter into this course with no
reluctance and hope sincerely that my good resolutions will not give way in this.
I
read it carefully over twice and intend every day to pursue the same plan.

In the Evening, I took a walk with Dwight and had some conversation with him on the
subject of the Knight Club, on the expediency of admitting any Sophomores. I am
decidedly in favour of the measure and he as much against it although I think I can
bend him considerably. I returned home and having smoked a couple of cigars at
Richardson’s, whom I like better since the Seniors have gone, I read my Bible and
went to bed. X:20.

1. The anonymous reviewer of Boston Prize Poems, Boston,
1824, felt that many of the verses “seem to have been written without the aid, and
sometimes we should fear without the entire approbation of the muse.” The plot of
Hobomok, a Tale of Early Times, by an American [Lydia
Maria Child], Boston, 1824, was considered “not only unnatural, but revolting ...
to every feeling of delicacy in man or woman” (North American
Review, 44:256, 263 [July 1824]).

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0008-0019

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-07-19

Monday July 19th. VI.

Attended Prayers and recitation in Topography this Morning. I { 247 } was not taken up as usual. I returned home and after breakfast attended a Lecture
of Mr. Channing’s. It was upon the way of writing. He said it was not wonderful that
it was an amusement so little popular, for that it required much exertion. A man
when he undertakes to write must sit down and first drive away all other thoughts
from his mind, he must think upon his subject exclusively, he must not give himself
any range in ideas, but must wait and work for his production. It was not proper
however when the moment for writing had come to stop the current of the thoughts,
as
was the case with some in order to correct what had gone before, a person should
write upon the impulse of the moment. Nor should he stop until he was to look over
the whole for the sake of correction. Nature is the best auxiliary to powerful
writing. It was the habit with some to write very quick he said, and they were able
to do so from practice and because their ideas always lie on the surface. They have
a few common places to say on every subject. Writing of this kind was shallow and
weak, however this was not uniformly the case for there were some who could write
from the inspiration of the moment as strongly and as richly as they ever would be
able to do. These were great and uncommon geniuses, and not very frequently
occurring. He expressed himself as fully believing the dictum of seasons of
inspiration or at least that men could write much better at one time than at
another, which Dr. Johnson speaks so severely of. This man however is no admirer of
Dr. Johnson in any thing, and when he does allude to him does not do it with much
respect. Though I myself do not think much of Mr. Channing’s method. Study does
exceeding well to form a style but practice is as good and, if one can write
handsomely without deep study, I think it has more effect. For my own part if study
is to form style I do not think I shall be so fortunate as to become a good
critic.

As soon as he had finished, I returned home and studied my Paley until recitation
time. I have had some idea of making an analysis of this book but on the whole I
hardly thought it worth the trouble. He writes in a style so simple that I shall not
be afraid to trust it to my memory. At ten we attended recitation and I on being
called upon acquitted myself very handsomely. After it was over, he detained us with
a very dry lecture upon the subject very little varied from Dr. Paley and an
explanation of his system of Utility which we have not yet seen. This over, I spent
the rest of the morning in looking over the lesson for tomorrow.

After dinner, I spent an hour at Otis’ looking over the lesson in Trigonometry
which was quite long. At two, I attended Mr. Nuttall’s { 248 } lecture
upon the Roots and Stems. He gave us examples of the different roots, but the
afternoon was so oppressively warm, that I could do nothing. My attention was not
in
my power. His lecture was very long and detained us until after three. I hurried
home, and spending a few minutes more in going over the lesson, attended the
recitation. He was so concerned with others that it was not in his power to give us
more than a few minutes attention, not enough to approach me with his quizzical
face. He has the most singular countenance when he is in the least interested that
it is with great difficulty that I can avoid laughing. At last I obtained a respite.
This is the most busy day in the week with us, and I have not one moment of leisure
time from the Prayer bell in the morning until four o’clock. We have but three more
of these however and then enter upon our last College Year. A most august situation
in my former recollections when I little thought of being here so quickly. The
remaining hours until Prayers were devoted to the writing of my Journal which before
I had not been able to touch.

After Prayers I drilled my section but was very much dissatisfied with mine, they
never conducted themselves in so shameful a manner since I have had them. They at
last made me exceedingly angry and I gave them a lecture individually upon the
subject which made some impression upon them. I was afraid that I should get the
character of harshness which would very probably be the case from what I have been
told as the impression I first make. I was therefore too lenient and appeared too
well satisfied with moderate efforts. When I had piqued them they began to do
exceedingly well. I was obliged then to dismiss them having recovered my good
opinion of them. This is probably the last time they come out together under me.
After drill I spent an hour with the Commandants as usual. When I came home, looked
over some hard sums without doing them, read my Bible and went to bed. X:40.

Docno: ADMS-13-01-02-0003-0008-0020

Author: CFA

Date: 1824-07-20

Tuesday. July 20th. VI.

Attended Prayers and recitation in Topography this morning and was taken up upon a
sum I did not understand but I managed myself from it with success. Indeed this
morning I had only time to go to Brigham’s room and look over some sums when the
bell rung so that I could only copy them and study the explanation out myself, in
the short time of recitation. After breakfast I went to the reading room where I
found the answer of the Intelligencer to my father. It is exceeding lame but handles
the subject precisely as I supposed it would, taking the ground of magnanimity and
forgiveness of injury.1 I was { 249 } angry at the man’s confounded duplicity, consequently did not finish the article
but returned home to study my lesson in Paley, the subject today was human
happiness. The author has a simple way of writing his opinion without ornament or
finish. He writes directly to the point. Attended recitation after which I employed
the time until dinner in reading the lesson for tomorrow.

In the afternoon I wasted one hour in conversation with the students after dinner,
so that I could do nothing but look over my Trigonometry for this afternoon before
the time for recitation. We attended Mr. Farrar but did not recite very long for as
usual he had quantities of students reciting to him. I was taken up and recited very
satisfactorily to myself. In fact I have been considerably pleased at my recitations
of late, because they stand on so light a foundation and I am always in fear that
I
shall expose my ignorance. After recitation I came home and wrote my Journal, and
also read part of Shakspeare’s Comedy of Love’s Labour’s lost. I was surprised to
find with what pleasure I returned to Shakespeare after an absence of three months.
I read over all his passages with great eagerness and was astonished at finding
myself so soon at the third act. I could not finish it however before the Prayer
bell rung. The three first days in the week are employed so closely that I have not
a single minute to perform any thing but my regular duties, and a little light
reading.

After tea I drilled my section which was a new one as the company men sized2 this Evening again in order to admit the honorary
members. But we were disappointed as these did not take their places but, acting
most stupidly, remained standing there after they had come out for the purpose. I
lost one of my men, Atherton,3 in which from some
unaccountable reason I felt considerably angry, my interest having risen to a pretty
high degree in him. My section were exceedingly troublesome to me and irritated me
most exceedingly. Brigham of my class, supposing that his familiarity authorized him
to conduct himself as he pleased, was very disorderly. In fact my passions became
very highly roused and my next order would have been that one of them should leave
the ranks had not they stopped in time. I was in a continual state of agitation
however and was not in the sweetest state of mind when I went down with the rest of
the officers as usual for refreshment. Lothrop was in much the same sort of humour.
It required only a spark to start the flame and Cunningham illadvisedly applied it.
I blazed out instantly and we had quite a warm discussion. It would have become
exceeding sharp, had he continued any observations upon the subject. He has an
amazingly great idea of the perfection of { 250 } soldiers without
recollecting that it is not often that men who have been drilled for so short a time
can do so well and he ought rather to be mindful of their excellencies than their
trivial faults. He has some foolish ideas about the company which experience only
will correct. In consequence of this short dispute however, the evening was very
stiff and unpleasant. We became all very grim and did not
continue conversation with pleasure. We soon broke up but Lothrop and I sat down
before the area near Massachusetts4 and vented our
illfeelings for a considerable time and becoming soothed in this way I came home and
went to bed. X:15.

1. Unappeased by the explanations of the National
Intelligencer (see entry for 17 July, and
note, above), JQA anonymously published another
attack on that newspaper in the National Journal, 13 July
1824, again charging that the editors had garbled the documents concerning the
slave trade convention with a view to securing its rejection. The Intelligencer once more defended itself against the
accusation of distorting the documents, claiming that it had printed all the
papers then available. “With regard to the opposition in the Senate . . . to the
Convention,” the editors added, “it is very singular, that, to chastise the
Senators who rebelled against the Treaty, the Secretary
should have bent his bow at us. . . . We approved the
Treaty. . . . But, we allowed the publication of a summary of the arguments in the
Senate against the Treaty! Hinc illae lachrymae!” (Daily
National Intelligencer, 17 July 1824).

2. In military terminology, to size means to arrange or draw up men in ranks
according to stature.